I thought Yaxel would go before Morez
2026 NBA Draft Thread
I expect him to be slotted there too considering AD doesn't play for Dallas anymore
Who was the highest Illini player ever drafted? Mike Price?
LOL. Right dude with the Wizards.
Morez is a much better fit in Dallas than Mara. They already have Gafford and Lively.
Good for him.
Good for him.
crazy to think that at one point there’s even doubt about whether Moraz would stay in the draft
OrangeBlue98
Iowa is not in a great spot right now (LvilleILL1)
- Des Moines, IA
He’s really going to look like that now with Yaxel being drafted.Live look at Aday Mara:
What a monster draft draw for OKC.
Mara at 12 is crazy (if they select him).
Mara at 12 is crazy (if they select him).
OrangeBlue98
Iowa is not in a great spot right now (LvilleILL1)
- Des Moines, IA
Considering the reports that the Bucks said “KJ or no deal” for Giannis, I’m guessing the Bucks will give him every chance.
If Hartenstein doesn't stay at OKC, then Mara would be a great fit. Chet can have Mara take the 5 and guard Wemby. Lol.
There has been 6 Illini and former Illini that have been selected in the first round the last 3 years. Underwood and crew know how to recruit.
Milwaukee’s owner is a huge Tennessee booster.
Probably a 1% chance that they don’t select Ament here.
Probably a 1% chance that they don’t select Ament here.
League really let them have Mara
Love the ABC crew belittling Cronin. Even though it's not possible to make him any littler....
Love the ABC crew belittling Cronin. Even though it's not possible to make him any littler....
Michigan with three lottery picks. All transfers.
If you're drafting on fit at #9 you're doing it wrong.
Draft best player available and let the chips fall where they may. Drafting on fit gets you Sam Bowie because "What are you going to do with Michael Jordan? You already have Jim Paxson and Clyde Drexler!"
I mean we could say the same thing about Acuff / Wagler. Acuff is probably higher on player boards, but Wagler fits alongside Garland.
Fact is, the “best player available” is cliche and it’s more-so about “tiers.”
If one player is in a completely different stratosphere on your board, then sure, you take that player and figure it out later. But if they’re neck and neck, barely separated… then it does make sense to draft based off of your roster (also, this was the 9th pick, not 1st or 2nd).
Morez and Mara also had very similar draft ranges coming into today.
I have a hankering to watch Keaton thrash Pee U again.
Difference between Acuff/Wagler is scouts are split on who is better. Just because Jay Bilas likes Acuff more doesn't make it any consensus.
Don't think I've seen one mock draft or scout in this entire process that had Morez over Mara. Maybe the Mavs scouts did. If so that's fine. But if they took him over fit despite thinking Mara would be the better overall NBA player, that's dumb. That's when you trade back, or draft the better player and then trade him.