2026 NBA Draft

[UKRAINEFAN]

What’s the latest on this - where do we stand. I don’t keep track of this at all. Are we keeping the pick if we make play in but don’t advance?

If we finish in 8th, then we need to win only one of two playin games to put us into the playofs and lose our pick. If we finish 9th, then we have to win both games to get into the playoffs and lose our pick.

 

[GoZers]

If we finish in 8th, then we need to win only one of two playin games to put us into the playofs and lose our pick. If we finish 9th, then we have to win both games to get into the playoffs and lose our pick.

And do people want to lose the pick? I can’t understand half the forums goals for this team or the teams goals for this team. I want the pick. Period.

 

[HailBlazers]

And do people want to lose the pick? I can’t understand half the forums goals for this team or the teams goals for this team. I want the pick. Period.

It's a pickle. Root against a team that has busted their tails all season. Or cheer them on and let the chips fall where they may.

 

[GoZers]

It's a pickle. Root against a team that has busted their tails all season. Or cheer them on and let the chips fall where they may.

The chance to add another young stud is too important to pass up. Especially when we don’t know about the future of some of our young guys staying here. And what if they hit the jackpot. It’s a no brainer.

 

[bigbailes]

What’s the latest on this - where do we stand. I don’t keep track of this at all. Are we keeping the pick if we make play in but don’t advance?

Only way they lose the pick this year is if they get into the proper playoffs as the 7th or 8th seed, lose in the play-in and the team keeps the pick.

2026- Miss the playoffs, keep the pick. Make the playoffs and the pick goes to Chicago.
2027- (if the pick still hasn't conveyed) Miss the playoffs and they keep the pick. Make the playoffs and the pick goes to Chicago.
2028- (if the pick still hasn't conveyed) Miss the playoffs, keep the pick and have a chance to swap with Milwaukee, plus the pick converts to a 2nd rounder in 2028. Make the playoffs and the Bulls get the pick, plus no chance to swap with the Bucks.

One wrinkle in all this is the Magic pick in 2028 that is unprotected that the Blazers picked up in last years draft. I'm almost positive it can NOT be used in a swap with Milwaukee in 2028 but that would be interesting.

 

[JDC]

Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson and Cameron Carr is probably my short list of guys right now.

Yaxel is old, but not a late brakeout guy which are the real ones you need to worry about. I don't think he has any star equity, but could he be a bigger PJ Washington with some sprinklings of Aaron Gordon? I think that's reasonable to project.

Morez is a junk yard dog. Not quite as physically talented as Al Horford, but close and I buy the jumper and the feet on defense to project some positional versatility to play alongside and back up DC.

Cam Carr is a super smooth, long wing with 3 level scoring ability and the tools to make plays defensively even if the his strength and play to play defense isn't where'd you like it to be. His tough shot making combined with his tools give him some real upside but has enough secondary skills to hit as positive player even if he doesn't reach it.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson and Cameron Carr is probably my short list of guys right now.

Yaxel is old, but not a late brakeout guy which are the real ones you need to worry about. I don't think he has any star equity, but could he be a bigger PJ Washington with some sprinklings of Aaron Gordon? I think that's reasonable to project.

Morez is a junk yard dog. Not quite as physically talented as Al Horford, but close and I buy the jumper and the feet on defense to project some positional versatility to play alongside and back up DC.

Cam Carr is a super smooth, long wing with 3 level scoring ability and the tools to make plays defensively even if the his strength and play to play defense isn't where'd you like it to be. His tough shot making combined with his tools give him some real upside but has enough secondary skills to hit as positive player even if he doesn't reach it.

Are these your picks based purely on BPA at where you think we'll be picking, or are you factoring in fit with our current roster? Because isn't this draft just stacked with quality PGs?

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson and Cameron Carr is probably my short list of guys right now.

Yaxel is old, but not a late brakeout guy which are the real ones you need to worry about. I don't think he has any star equity, but could he be a bigger PJ Washington with some sprinklings of Aaron Gordon? I think that's reasonable to project.

Morez is a junk yard dog. Not quite as physically talented as Al Horford, but close and I buy the jumper and the feet on defense to project some positional versatility to play alongside and back up DC.

Cam Carr is a super smooth, long wing with 3 level scoring ability and the tools to make plays defensively even if the his strength and play to play defense isn't where'd you like it to be. His tough shot making combined with his tools give him some real upside but has enough secondary skills to hit as positive player even if he doesn't reach it.

Morez Johnson is intriguing. You know i love my Tankathon stat ratings and he has no stat weaknesses! Seems to e projectedd late first.

 

[PCmor7]

Did a little bit of checking on Karim Lopez.

My quick take on him is if the Blazers ended up picking 11-14, I wouldn't be displeased adding him. I think he's better than Koa Peat because of his offensive upside. He reminds me a bit of Yaxel Lendeborg in that he does everything well but doesn't jump out at anything in particular.

The difference is that he only turns 19 this weekend.

I liked his aggressiveness and ability to play through contact, especially as a teenager in a pro league. Did some pretty neat things with his handle, too.

Anyway, here's a highlight package of his two years in the NBL for those interested.

 

[PCmor7]

Lopez doesn't have Lendeborg's length. He's about 6-8/6-9, 220 with a 7-1 wingspan as an 18-year-old.

One thing I like is efficiency. He averages about 11 ppg on 8 FGA.

 

[Ripcity4life77]

This is all a mute point unless the Blazers lose so that is why I am looking more to next year then they will get playoff experience BS i hear even from Dame who i love but I think he is wrong as fuck on this point. This team needs this pick either as a player to add to the weak depth or as an asset for a trade or maybe they are scouting India for a player to get that market like they did with Yang -- LOL

 

[twobullz]

Who are the projects with high upside and won't contribute for a couple years? That is who the Blazers seem to always draft.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Did a little bit of checking on Karim Lopez.

My quick take on him is if the Blazers ended up picking 11-14, I wouldn't be displeased adding him. I think he's better than Koa Peat because of his offensive upside. He reminds me a bit of Yaxel Lendeborg in that he does everything well but doesn't jump out at anything in particular.

The difference is that he only turns 19 this weekend.

I liked his aggressiveness and ability to play through contact, especially as a teenager in a pro league. Did some pretty neat things with his handle, too.

Anyway, here's a highlight package of his two years in the NBL for those interested.

In depth look at Lopez; loves his motor and driving ability, concerned about shooting and defense. "his start has since proved unsustainable, with his efficiency quickly declining over his last 13 games, shooting just 22.5% on 3.0 attempts per game." (written at end of January) https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/the-confounding-case-of-karim-lopez

 

[JDC]

Yeah the defense was an adventure the couple full games I've watched of Karim, but he definitely looks like a lottery talent from a skill/creativity/ball skills at his size standpoint....pretty rare combo. Big hand's...the footwork and seemingly advanced ability to use his body to create scoring opportunities really stands out.

If the shooting continues on the upward trajectory in seems to be on, his upside gets really interesting.

I could see him being a Jalen Johnson type for sure.

 

[JDC]

This class has been interesting for me in that statistically it looks like one the best drafts in a while...but I have very few guys that I'm complete in on.

Caleb Wilson and Keaton Wagler are my two "my guys" up top with Darryn Peterson just outside that top tier for me since he both didn't get to the rim at all and doesn't stand out physically (which I guess you could say about Wagler too, but I like his first step more and comfort dealing with physicality for a similarly slight player)

Egbuka Okorie is a guy I loved watching early in the year, but the combo of size, finishing, lack of pure pg skills and just ok shooting is a tough one to overcome and hit at a high level. Thought he'd return after a mid season mini slump too so didn't watch as much late in the year but with him declaring, I'll have to revisit his later on if he stays in to see where a I really fall with him.

I also like the depth in this class, but don't love any one guy (Morez is the closest) but I do see a lot rotational /low level starter types into the early 2nd depending on who stays in.

 

[MrDraftGuy]

I still view Yaxel as the ideal player for Portland within that #12-14 range. I view him as Obi Toppin-esque as a median but with agility similar to Jimmy Butler. Helps that he's all-around skilled.

But it seems like mocks are putting him in the Top 10 so even if Portland keeps the pick, he may out of the question.

Cameron Carr is another name that has popped up. I think he's Terrence Ross/Zaire Williams as a median. His ceiling would be something akin to Kevin Martin but with better rebounding.

Either way, wingspan is correlated with success in the modern NBA and both players have lengthy wingspans for their positions.

A potential late gem is Ebuka Okorie, if Portland has no first round picks and wants to trade for a late 1st or buy a 2nd. You'd have to think of him more like an Anfernee replacement but potentially more versatile. More of a low risk, decent reward type pick.