Dang, really really really wanted Steinbach to go to the Bulls. Top 10 talent IMO
2026 NBA Draft Thread
Anderson is not SLAPtastic, but I kind of hope he's the Bulls pick here
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Deron Williams was 3rd overall if I remember correctly.
Dusty May had influence on who they chose. Could have gone with Mara, Morez or Yaxell. May chose Morez, he saw them closely over the last 9 months. Regarding trading down, not always worth the squeeze and you need to find a taker and be certain your pick isn't taken by someone else.
TentakilRex
- Land O Insects between Quincy-Macomb-Jacksonville
Hopefully Wagler will develop well for a couple of years and eventually be traded to a real organization ASAP
From their POV, they wouldn’t have gotten Morez had they traded back. At least would’ve been super risky.
Let’s say you trade with OKC and they take Mara at 9 …. MIL at 10 takes Burries.
How do you know GSW won’t take Morez? Coming into today, Morez’s draft stock was thought to be higher than Yaxel (who’s pre draft interviews / workouts / intel was questionable for a lot of teams).
IMO, your argument would work better with GSW for taking Yaxel (who goes ahead of Mara, Steinbach, Ament). If they had traded down to 14 or 15, it’s very possible (likely) they still would’ve ended up with him.
…..
FWIW, Dusty had always thought of Morez as the anchor/leader of last year’s Michigan team. Yaxel when he got there had some lethargic personality moments, often cited as he didn’t know “how to work.” But Morez was the barometer of the locker room. His effort was never in question.
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BillyBob1
- Champaign
Yes he was. Gill was drafted 5th and Anderson was drafted 11th.
Hoping Bulls could get Steinbach, major drop off to Swain IMHO.
Morez had a chip on his shoulder you don't see too often. Should be a great culture guy for toughness and willing to do the dirty work. I can see why Illinois didn't try to keep him given his perimeter shot and fit, but he was for sure worth it for Michigan and his improvement was impressive. Can't argue with a natty.
Yeah he's the highest ever. Mike Price was #17. Keaton is tied with Kendall Gill for the 2nd highest pick.
Deron #3 overall
Gill & Wagler #5 overall
TentakilRex
- Land O Insects between Quincy-Macomb-Jacksonville
This sports has some stupid GMs in it especially with a draft where second rounders are like fourth and fifth rounders in the NFL
I personally thought Cam Carr would’ve been a terrific fit.
Look, if the Mavs thought Morez was the best player available that's one thing.
But if they didn't and just drafted him because he "fit" better, which is what you suggested, then that's dumb. There are other ways to get a player that fits your system and personnel. The NBA draft, and this is particularly true the higher in the draft you're talking about, is purely about extracting maximum value. A better player, or a player that is more valued by the rest of the league, even if he doesn't "fit" as well, can be used as a valuable trade chip.
Letting your new HC with zero NBA experience override the opinion of literally every scout in the entire league based on his own personal feelings:
Did they bring back GarPax for this pick?! Just dumb...
IMHO, Dallas should have traded down for Morez. They really wanted him.
Any time you can use a top 10 pick on a player whose range is described as "rim finisher" you have to do it.
Well, if they traded down, then you run the risk of Morez (who was obviously their guy because, well, they picked him) getting selected by the next 1 or 2 picks and never falling to you again.
People just want to dislike Morez. His stock was higher than many think. Floor was thought to be Charlotte at 14, and was getting consideration as high as Atlanta at 8.
#9 is perfectly reasonable. It's just some people figured Mara to be the better option. Doesn't mean Dallas saw it that way.
I like the Morez pick more knowing Dusty came in and presumably had at least a positive reaction knowing they’d take Morez first of the Michigan bigs. I mean, from a player prototype standpoint, how different is Morez from Caleb Wilson? They’re both long, bouncy bigs with a ferocious playing style that have shown some, but limited, capability shooting from range. I get why Wilson went higher of course and is viewed as having a higher ceiling (I like that pick for the Bulls). But I wouldn’t say it’s crazy to draft one of those guys 9th and not raise an eyebrow about the other at 4.
even beyond this. with podz, morez and Jeremiah fears that's 7 players in the last few years that this staff had committed or play on the Illini that got drafted.
the talent evaluation by this staff is off the chart but the ability to get them to commit is also amazing.
Had they traded down, GSW could've easily taken him within the next two picks.
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