Early look at the 2026 draft

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I'm firmly in the "Darryn Peterson is the next Jalen Green" camp.

I also can't shake the comparisons in my mind with Ben McLemore.

I would take Dybantsa, Wilson, and Boozer over him, in that order.

I might take Acuff and Flemings over him as well, depending on how interviews and general vibes went with him pre-draft.

The on court product is just so much better for Peterson already than it ever was for Mclemore or Green.

I don't really agree with that.

Jalen Green didn't go to college. He played for the Ignite team, but he was widely regarded as a high level atheltic prospect. 18-4-3 in the g-league.

Ben McLemore's stats were pretty similar to Peterson's in college. His PPG were a little less, but his percentages and assists were higher. I don't think Peterson will be a bust like McLemore, but I also can't get that bias out of my head.

I legit think the hype around Peterson is getting out of hand. I think he's a really good prospect, but the athletic comparisons to guys like Kobe or Edwards are a bit hyperbolic. He's a good not great shooter. He's an ok playmaker. His driving was a bit disappointing in his one college season given what he looked like in high school. He was "injured" alot, and there are definitely questions around his body language. That whole Kansas team had weird vibes, which isn't all on him, but I don't think his "injuries" helped anything.

[slamtheking]

I'm firmly in the "Darryn Peterson is the next Jalen Green" camp.

I also can't shake the comparisons in my mind with Ben McLemore.

I would take Dybantsa, Wilson, and Boozer over him, in that order.

I might take Acuff and Flemings over him as well, depending on how interviews and general vibes went with him pre-draft.

The on court product is just so much better for Peterson already than it ever was for Mclemore or Green.

I don't really agree with that.

Jalen Green didn't go to college. He played for the Ignite team, but he was widely regarded as a high level atheltic prospect. 18-4-3 in the g-league.

Ben McLemore's stats were pretty similar to Peterson's in college. His PPG were a little less, but his percentages and assists were higher. I don't think Peterson will be a bust like McLemore, but I also can't get that bias out of my head.

I legit think the hype around Peterson is getting out of hand. I think he's a really good prospect, but the athletic comparisons to guys like Kobe or Edwards are a bit hyperbolic. He's a good not great shooter. He's an ok playmaker. His driving was a bit disappointing in his one college season given what he looked like in high school. He was "injured" alot, and there are definitely questions around his body language. That whole Kansas team had weird vibes, which isn't all on him, but I don't think his "injuries" helped anything.

this kid has been giving me Ben Simmons vibes --> likes the allure of the fame and money that comes from being an NBA player but without a real competitive spirit to play hard and improve their game once they get there.  Could be very wrong but there's been more than just a little concern about how little it takes to keep him off the court.

[Who]

I'm firmly in the "Darryn Peterson is the next Jalen Green" camp.

I also can't shake the comparisons in my mind with Ben McLemore.

I would take Dybantsa, Wilson, and Boozer over him, in that order.

I might take Acuff and Flemings over him as well, depending on how interviews and general vibes went with him pre-draft.

The on court product is just so much better for Peterson already than it ever was for Mclemore or Green.

I don't really agree with that.

Jalen Green didn't go to college. He played for the Ignite team, but he was widely regarded as a high level atheltic prospect. 18-4-3 in the g-league.

Ben McLemore's stats were pretty similar to Peterson's in college. His PPG were a little less, but his percentages and assists were higher. I don't think Peterson will be a bust like McLemore, but I also can't get that bias out of my head.

I legit think the hype around Peterson is getting out of hand. I think he's a really good prospect, but the athletic comparisons to guys like Kobe or Edwards are a bit hyperbolic. He's a good not great shooter. He's an ok playmaker. His driving was a bit disappointing in his one college season given what he looked like in high school. He was "injured" alot, and there are definitely questions around his body language. That whole Kansas team had weird vibes, which isn't all on him, but I don't think his "injuries" helped anything.

I wonder if they are overshooting it on those comparisons as well.

I wonder if they shouldn't go down a tier on the comparisons to someone like Ray Allen. Fantastic player but you weren't taking Ray ahead of Dybantsa.

A perennial All-Star talent rather than an MVP talent.