Early look at the 2026 draft

[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.

Anderson has declared for the Draft with no mention of coming back to texas tech or transferring, this will be interesting to watch. As the Darius Acuff hype train has gone crazy with his late season play Anderson seemed to cool. The combine will be interesting to see how they measure and how those measurements comp to each other. Their stats are similar and if both are around the same size its hard for me to see them going 20 picks apart as some have projected.

[Celtics4ever]

I hope we draft a PF.   We have several bigs, we have a ton of wings and they often have to play the four.   

Morenz Johnson Jr. would look nice in green and he adds toughness and has some potential to spread the floor down the road.    He shot 12-35 this year and has some potential down the road.  He shot 34% from the three will limited shots, and has an ok FT % at 78% which indicates some touch.

He plays D and rebounds and does not need the ball to affect a game.  His PER was 25.2 and he can switch a little on defense.


https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/morez-johnson-jr-1/gamelog/2026

[Celtics2021]

I hope we draft a PF.   We have several bigs, we have a ton of wings and they often have to play the four.   

Morenz Johnson Jr. would look nice in green and he adds toughness and has some potential to spread the floor down the road.    He shot 12-35 this year and has some potential down the road.  He shot 34% from the three will limited shots, and has an ok FT % at 78% which indicates some touch.

He plays D and rebounds and does not need the ball to affect a game.  His PER was 25.2 and he can switch a little on defense.


https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/morez-johnson-jr-1/gamelog/2026

I have said this several times in these threads, but Morez is highly unlikely to be available when we pick.  If he does not get a top-20 grade from the NBA he is going to stay in college for around $5 million next year.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I hope we draft a PF.   We have several bigs, we have a ton of wings and they often have to play the four.   

Morenz Johnson Jr. would look nice in green and he adds toughness and has some potential to spread the floor down the road.    He shot 12-35 this year and has some potential down the road.  He shot 34% from the three will limited shots, and has an ok FT % at 78% which indicates some touch.

He plays D and rebounds and does not need the ball to affect a game.  His PER was 25.2 and he can switch a little on defense.


https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/morez-johnson-jr-1/gamelog/2026

I have said this several times in these threads, but Morez is highly unlikely to be available when we pick.  If he does not get a top-20 grade from the NBA he is going to stay in college for around $5 million next year.

Jeez. I haven't been paying attention to NIL money lately. Guys at his level are getting 5 mil a year? Wow.

[Moranis]

On3 has Dybantsa's NIL valuation at 4.2 million. No one else is over 3 million. Morez Johnson was valued at 2 million.  I can't see him getting all that close to 5 million next year. 

[Celtics2021]

I hope we draft a PF.   We have several bigs, we have a ton of wings and they often have to play the four.   

Morenz Johnson Jr. would look nice in green and he adds toughness and has some potential to spread the floor down the road.    He shot 12-35 this year and has some potential down the road.  He shot 34% from the three will limited shots, and has an ok FT % at 78% which indicates some touch.

He plays D and rebounds and does not need the ball to affect a game.  His PER was 25.2 and he can switch a little on defense.


https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/morez-johnson-jr-1/gamelog/2026

I have said this several times in these threads, but Morez is highly unlikely to be available when we pick.  If he does not get a top-20 grade from the NBA he is going to stay in college for around $5 million next year.

Jeez. I haven't been paying attention to NIL money lately. Guys at his level are getting 5 mil a year? Wow.

I have heard rumors that he will cost Michigan substantially more than Yaxel to stay.  Yaxel was $3 million last year, but reportedly turned down over $5 million from Kentucky.

On3s NIL estimates are not in line with what kids are actually getting paid.

Maybe it winds up being $3 million and not 5, but it will be enough so that if he is anywhere near falling out of the first, as he would be if projected to be on the board when the Celtics select, he will take the NIL and re-enter the draft as a junior.