Early look at the 2026 draft

[CFAN38]

As is typical of me this time of year I have watched very little college bball and haven't looked at this upcoming draft much but a couple players jump out at me.

Morez Johnson Jr., he is a young soph (20 on draft night) big man (listed at 6'9 250) for Michigan. Despite playing along side two likely NBA draft picks players in combo forward Lendeborg and center Mara he is putting up great numbers. He has also been a productive member of USA FIBA teams in 2024 and 2025. I want to watch more of his complete games but on the surface he looks to me like a lottery talent who is being held back by a lower usage role. Tankathon currently has him mocks to go #27

Richie Saunders, as an older prospect (24 on draft night) he is not the typical prospect I like in the draft but watching him play its easy to see him as a productive rotation player on a winning team. He is listed at 6'5 200lbs, is an NBA level athlete, and plays with a great motor. Tankathon has him projected to go #47 but I see him returning first round value to the right team.

[perks-a-beast]

This is one of those drafts where I would be totally happy to trade our picks to improve the current roster. Outside of the Top 4, I think this draft is extremely underwhelming.

[Phantom255x]

This is one of those drafts where I would be totally happy to trade our picks to improve the current roster. Outside of the Top 4, I think this draft is extremely underwhelming.

Yeah, and we also have the Pelicans pick in the 2nd round which is projected to be in the 31-36 range so might have value. Obviously don't give up both but I'm fine giving up either our own first rounder or the Pelicans second to add a contributor on the team particularly frontcourt.

[Moranis]

Top 4?

This draft seems very deep with top level talent. Obviously you have the top 3 in Peterson, Dybantsa, and Boozer but after that there are 5 or 6 guys all in the same general range.  Guys like Brown, Wilson, Flemings, Quaintance, Peat, Ament.  Not to mention a guy like Cenac who is obviously talented but dropping some on draft boards and may be in play more near where Boston will pick.  This is a draft to get more picks in, if possible not fewer.

[Celtics2021]

As a Michigan fan, I have seen a lot of Morez Johnson Jr. this year.  He is a high-ceiling, low-floor PF.  It is not a given he will be in the draft next year, as I think Michigan will pay him $2-3 million to stay, so I think he will need to get a promise in the top 20-25 to remain in the draft.  If his consistency improves, he could blow up into a lottery pick in 2027.  Very talented, but the one most likely to make low-IQ plays of Michigan?s 3 bigs.

[CFAN38]

adding another couple of players who I like but who I also have major questions about


Otega Oweh, he is an almost 23yr old wing from Kentucky. The good on his scouting report include great steal numbers at 2.5/per 36, an improved 3pt shot, and improved assist numbers. The big positive and the reason I would consider drafting him is his physical profile they are vastly different players but his physical comp is Anthony Edwards. He is explosive, long (just under 6'9 wingspan), with a strong physical frame. His older brother was a first round pick in the NFL draft and currently plays for the Chargers. The hope in drafting him is to develop him into a Lou Dort type wing. Aside from his age what worries me and keeps him out of the first/early second is what looks like a general lack of awareness, this may just be the game I watched but he looks occasionally lost in rotation.

JoJo Tugler, he is 21 yr old PF for Houston. He is a unique player who at around 6'8 (not official) has a reported 7'6" wingspan and is a stocks (block/steal) machine. He is currently averaging  2.4 blks and 3.1 steals per 36 minutes. He profiles as an elite defender with limited offense. The question with Tugler is if a team wants to develop an undersized switch every thing 4/5. He could be an interesting fit with the Cs.

[CFAN38]

Looking at this class im really impressed by the PGs, this is only an on the surface look but Kingston Flemings, Mikel Brown Jr, Labaron Philon, Christian Anderson, Darius Acuff, Meleek Thomas, Brayden Burries and Sergio de Larrea all look like 1st round picks. Sergio de Larrea maybe more of a wing in the NBA but for now ill consider him a pg because thats what he is listed as.



Christian Anderson, particularly stands out to me as a guy projected on Tankathon as a second round pick but who clearly looks more towards a lottery pick. He cam into college with the small guard tag given that he measured 5'11.5" 155lbs with a 6'4.5" wingspan at the 2024 basketball with out borders. He is currently listed at 6'3 and clearly looks like he has grown (Dad was a pro in Germany and is 6'6). His combine will be interesting but im assuming he is around his listed 6'3 in shoes with around a 6'6 wingspan. Skill wise he is a great shooter, great passer, and at this point in the season he is finishing at an above 65% at the rim. 

[slamtheking]

Looking at this class im really impressed by the PGs, this is only an on the surface look but Kingston Flemings, Mikel Brown Jr, Labaron Philon, Christian Anderson, Darius Acuff, Meleek Thomas, Brayden Burries and Sergio de Larrea all look like 1st round picks. Sergio de Larrea maybe more of a wing in the NBA but for now ill consider him a pg because thats what he is listed as.



Christian Anderson, particularly stands out to me as a guy projected on Tankathon as a second round pick but who clearly looks more towards a lottery pick. He cam into college with the small guard tag given that he measured 5'11.5" 155lbs with a 6'4.5" wingspan at the 2024 basketball with out borders. He is currently listed at 6'3 and clearly looks like he has grown (Dad was a pro in Germany and is 6'6). His combine will be interesting but im assuming he is around his listed 6'3 in shoes with around a 6'6 wingspan. Skill wise he is a great shooter, great passer, and at this point in the season he is finishing at an above 65% at the rim.

sounds like a PP-type player --> that a fair comp?

[CFAN38]

Looking at this class im really impressed by the PGs, this is only an on the surface look but Kingston Flemings, Mikel Brown Jr, Labaron Philon, Christian Anderson, Darius Acuff, Meleek Thomas, Brayden Burries and Sergio de Larrea all look like 1st round picks. Sergio de Larrea maybe more of a wing in the NBA but for now ill consider him a pg because thats what he is listed as.



Christian Anderson, particularly stands out to me as a guy projected on Tankathon as a second round pick but who clearly looks more towards a lottery pick. He cam into college with the small guard tag given that he measured 5'11.5" 155lbs with a 6'4.5" wingspan at the 2024 basketball with out borders. He is currently listed at 6'3 and clearly looks like he has grown (Dad was a pro in Germany and is 6'6). His combine will be interesting but im assuming he is around his listed 6'3 in shoes with around a 6'6 wingspan. Skill wise he is a great shooter, great passer, and at this point in the season he is finishing at an above 65% at the rim.

sounds like a PP-type player --> that a fair comp?

One thing that I think is often over looked about PP is how big he actually is. He weighed in at 206lbs at the combine. 6'0.5" 206lbs is not a big guy buy nba standards but the strength/weight that he carries alows him to hold up better than some taller but lighter guards. This is also true for Brunson, Lowrey, and Vanvleet.

In terms of playing style and role I think Anderson could fill a similar nich.

[CFAN38]

Another guard who I like and I think ill have in the 1st round.

PJ Haggerty, he is a 21yr old combo guard from Kansas State.
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/5106275/pj-haggerty not a traditional PG but to average 20+ppg for 3 seasons in a row at three different schools is impressive. Reminds me a little of Caleb Love in that he is a really good college player who just doesn't seem to carry draft hype. Not a stretch to picture him as a 6th man type scoring guard.

[CFAN38]

another purge of draft thoughts that may be relevant to the Cs.

Baba Miller, he is an older big man (will be 22 at the draft) who now plays for Cinncinati but previously played two season Florida St and one for Florida Atlantic. He is a Spanish big man who came into the NCAA with hype that he never really lived up too. The hype/vision for Miller was to be another Jonathan Isaac at nearly 6'11 (without shoes), a 7'2 wingspan, 9'2 standing reach, and the lateral mobility of a player 5" shorter than him its easy to see the appeal. He has clear high level value on the defensive end of the court as a switch everything 5. On offense I really want to watch more of him because he has a weird mix of skills. On a grab and go rebound he can look really good handling the ball in the open court to the point you forget he is nearly 7'. He finishes well in the paint and is a nice lob threat but I'm not sold on his of the dribble creation into his finishing (ie not a guy I see driving then going into a euro effectively. His outside shot has been an issue though he did shoot 34% on 3.4 attempts as a junior. He is only 60% from the foul line in his college career. My bottom line is I will probably give him a late first round grade based on what he could bring the Cs on D and as a dribble hand off capable rim running 5. Tankathon currently has him #73 on their big board.



Not prospect specific but I find this class of undersized bigs really interesting. Along with Tugler who I posted about before Koa Peat, JT Toppin, Flory Bidunga (was measured as 6'7 without shoes last year) and David Punch are all bigs who will be unique (both good and bad) fits in the modern NBA. I personally can't see Peat who some have in the high lottery returning value at that pick unless he miraculously becomes a shooter.

[Celtics4ever]

More on Baba Miller

Measured 6′ 10.75? barefoot, 9′ 2.00? standing reach, 216.4 lbs, 7′ 2.00? wingspan, 29 standing vert, 32 max vert at the 2024 NBA G-League Combine

https://www.nbadraft.net/players/baba-miller/

He will needs work on his body and add weight for the NBA  Maybe another 20 lbs or so.

[CFAN38]

More on Baba Miller

Measured 6′ 10.75? barefoot, 9′ 2.00? standing reach, 216.4 lbs, 7′ 2.00? wingspan, 29 standing vert, 32 max vert at the 2024 NBA G-League Combine

https://www.nbadraft.net/players/baba-miller/

He will needs work on his body and add weight for the NBA  Maybe another 20 lbs or so.

Agree, he does look like he has gained some weight and is currently listed (for what that's worth) at 225lbs.