2026 Bench Mob Blog NBA Mock Draft

The 2026 NBA Draft is going to be a really exciting one. I say that because of how talented this crop of prospects is, which is something a million people have pointed out a billion times, but I also say that on a personal level. This is the most knowledgeable I’ve ever felt about a class. I watched more college hoops this past season than any previous year (I’m so locked into the NBA it can be hard to make time for other leagues), and I even had the incredible opportunity to attend the Draft Combine in Chicago as credentialed media.

So, it’s my pleasure to present my annual “what I would do” mock draft! This is based solely on my opinions and board— predictions and general consensus are not in play. You may find that my first round doesn’t have many hot takes, but I genuinely believe the hype on a lot of these guys, so that just is what it is.

Let’s get started!

  1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa (Forward, BYU)

Dybantsa has the most obvious superstar potential in this class. The BYU phenom is a few improvements away from being the prototypical NBA wing star. He’s an unbelievable athlete. He’s really comfortable as an on-ball creator for himself and others, even against heavy pressure. He should be able to develop the versatility to contribute in every aspect of the game, not just scoring. The concerns with the three-point shot and the defensive results are there, but it feels like the kid is going to figure everything out.

The Wizards have the bases loaded right now with two All-Star veterans (Trae Young and Anthony Davis, if the latter sticks around) and some promising young talent (Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, Will Riley, etc.). Drafting Dybantsa could easily be the grand slam that sends everyone home and propels Washington out of their rebuild.

  1. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson (Guard, Kansas)

This feels like the perfect match for both Utah and Peterson. As much as the Jazz may be enamored with Dybantsa, Peterson is the smoother fit for what they’re building. He’s going to be a lethal scoring weapon in the league both on and off the ball, and it’s the latter area where he’d be able to shine from day one in Utah within Will Hardy’s creative offensive schemes. 

Like the Wizards, the Jazz are very close to exiting their tanking phase, especially after the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade. If Peterson reaches his sky-high ceiling, this team could ascend to contention. Even his median outcome would give the franchise a big boost.

  1. Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer (Big, Duke)

As of right now, today, Cam Boozer is the best basketball player in this class. His production, feel, and impact are undeniable. He’s going to translate to the NBA seamlessly and make a difference. However, it’s tough for guys of his archetype (post-oriented bigs who are tweeners defensively) to be top dogs on successful teams, so an All-NBA First Team future feels less possible for him than it does for Dybantsa and Peterson. Still, the Grizzlies would be landing a true cornerstone here who they could lean on regardless of how the rest of their roster shapes up in the coming years.

  1. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson (Forward, North Carolina)

Wilson could be the superhero that swoops in and finally saves Chicago from mediocrity. He’s treated as more of a consolation prize, the next best thing after the “big three,” but the UNC forward is very much a transcendent talent in his own right. He’s probably the most otherworldly all-around athlete amongst his peers, and he’s teeming with tools on both sides of the ball. If the Bulls land Wilson, the duo of him and Matas Buzelis would give Windy City faithful something to believe in for the first time in a long time.

  1. Los Angeles Clippers (via Indiana): Aday Mara (Center, Michigan)

The Clippers are in a fascinating position here. They’re not in desperate need of a franchise-altering youngster like some of the teams below them are, which leaves them with some room to get creative. Selling high on Ivica Zubac at the trade deadline left them with a gaping hole at center, so instead of bringing in another point guard when they already have Darius Garland, they should strongly consider Aday Mara. Mara is the best true five in the class, a giant of a man with a high floor supported by his elite rim protection and passing. His intersection of size and skill will serve him well in a league that covets exactly that (see: Wemby, Chet Holmgren, Karl-Anthony Towns, Evan Mobley, Isaiah Hartenstein, Donovan Clingan, Onyeka Okongwu, and more in the 2026 playoffs).

  1. Brooklyn Nets: Mikel Brown Jr. (Guard, Louisville)

Out of all the lottery-tier guards, Brown is the most built for stardom in today’s NBA. At nearly 6’5” in shoes with a 6’7” wingspan, he’s a real combo guard in stature, and he’s one in practice, too. Brown is a bomber from deep, an advanced playmaker, and just an overall offensive stud. Lingering back injuries are the only serious obstacle standing between him and returning borderline top-five value. Yes, Brooklyn drafted Egor Demin, Ben Saraf, and Nolan Traore last year, but those guys aren’t nearly good enough to justify passing up on a prospect of Brown’s caliber.

  1. Sacramento Kings: Darius Acuff Jr. (Point guard, Arkansas)

Sacramento has to be beyond bummed about missing out on a top four pick, and who can blame them? Outside of their unfortunately fluky 2022-23 campaign, their fans have been deprived of excitement for too long. Adding Darius Acuff, who they’re rumored to love, could be the move that shifts the direction and narrative for the Kings. Simply put, Acuff has that “it” factor. Everything about his game, his freshman season at Arkansas, and the way he carries himself screams star. He’ll have to fight hard to overcome his size and defensive deficiencies, but his gifts on offense shine too bright to overlook. If any “little” guard is going to succeed, it’ll be Acuff.

  1. Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans): Ebuka Okorie (Guard, Stanford)

Okorie is being slept on in a major way. His offensive engine potential is nothing to be scoffed at, and it all starts with his relentless downhill game. The Stanford guard pressures the rim as well as anyone in the draft. He can get buckets from outside, too. His playmaking isn’t up there with Brown’s or Acuff’s, but with all the advantages he creates, he still generates plenty of easy kickout and dumpoff looks for teammates. When the Hawks moved on from Trae Young, the absence of a legitimate point guard on the team was noticeable right away. Okorie could fill that spot while being less ball dominant than Young, allowing Jalen Johnson to maintain All-NBA form.

  1. Dallas Mavericks: Keaton Wagler (Guard, Illinois)

Wagler took the Big Ten by storm as a freshman at Illinois, emerging as one of the best bucket getters in the entire country. He’s a smooth operator, a fluid scorer, and an excellent shooter who makes up for lacking athleticism with nuance, craft, wiggle, and finesse. Unlike Brown, Acuff, and Okorie, he projects to be more of a secondary option, but that’s no issue for Dallas, who already has Cooper Flagg. Flagg’s downhill dynamism paired with Wagler’s perimeter prowess would give defenses headaches for the next decade.

  1. Milwaukee Bucks: Labaron Philon (Guard, Alabama)

Milwaukee should take a swing at 10, Giannis or not. Their only cemented core piece right now is Ryan Rollins, and this is a rare opportunity for them to add standout talent via the draft as a team without many picks in their cabinet. Alabama’s Labaron Philon is the best star bet left here. He radiates confidence offensively, using his wizardly handle and trusty pullup jumper to torch defenders of all sizes. Philon stands closer to 6’4” with a 6’6” wingspan, and that frame, along with his steady catch-and-shoot ability and capacity to ramp up defensively, equip him to play alongside Rollins or even the Greek Freak in an off-ball role as well.

  1. Golden State Warriors: Morez Johnson Jr. (Big, Michigan)

Johnson is one of the biggest physical anomalies in the draft. He’s 6’10” with a nearly 7’4” wingspan, freakish mobility and quickness, and a burly, more than NBA-ready body. We’re talking about arguably a top-three defender on the board here with his size, switchability, and toughness all influencing his immense impact on that end of the floor. He’s not the most skilled offensive player, but the Warriors don’t need more shooting. They need guys who do the dirty work, like Johnson.

  1. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clippers): Yaxel Lendeborg (Forward, Michigan)

Giving OKC a polished prospect like Yaxel Lendeborg feels unfair for the rest of the league. The 2026 Consensus All-American would be able to step in and play meaningful minutes for the Thunder from day one, further strengthening their all-time defense and stopping gaps on offense. Lendeborg is the ultimate connector and the ultimate winner, too. It’s only right that he lands with a team with a championship pedigree.

  1. Miami Heat: Kingston Flemings (Point guard, Houston)

Despite his impressive freshman year at Houston, Flemings has more question marks surrounding him than the other guards in this range. He’s 6’3.5” in shoes with a 6’3.5” wingspan and he’s super slender, making lack of size a real concern for him. On top of that, his mid-range volume significantly exceeds his three-point rate, so his comfort spots on the floor will have to shift at least a tad for him to thrive. Still, his blinding quickness and sharp P&R play would make him the type of ball handler/table setter Miami is missing in their backcourt.

  1. Charlotte Hornets: Nate Ament (Forward, Tennessee)

Charlotte going with another raw project might feel scary with how Tidjane Saluan’s career has panned out so far, but Ament makes sneaky sense for this team. The Hornets have plenty of perimeter-programmed scorers, but they need more physicality and defense on the wing. Ament, while generally a theoretical commodity, is already built to handle some contact and compete on D and on the glass. If he puts on some muscle and straightens out his shot, he could be the ideal forward to pair with LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, and Brandon Miller.

  1. Chicago Bulls (via Portland): Brayden Burries (Guard, Arizona)

Burries is as complete of a guard as you’ll find in this class. From strength, to role versatility, to IQ, to winning experience, he’s got it all. The odds of him translating to the pros are pretty high. He’s a bit limited athletically, and his on-ball scoring isn’t as electric as that of Brown, Philon, or even Flemings, so a star outcome might not be on the table. Still, he would be a great backcourt complement to the (hypothetical) duo of Caleb Wilson and Matas Buzelis in Chi-Town.

  1. Memphis Grizzlies (via Orlando): Cameron Carr (Wing, Baylor)

One of the Draft Combine’s hottest names, Carr is the picture-perfect wing prospect. It’s difficult to imagine him failing in the NBA with his combination of length, shooting, athleticism, defense, and fearlessness. The Grizzlies already have several guys in his mold (Cedric Coward, Jaylen Wells, GG Jackson), but why not add one more? You can never have too many versatile small forwards in today’s league. If this mock became reality, this pick could go down as a steal for Memphis, as Carr’s range starts as high as 10 with the Bucks.

  1. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Philadelphia): Hannes Steinbach (Big, Washington)

OKC could be parting ways with Isaiah Hartenstein this summer for cost-cutting reasons, which would leave a big hole in their frontcourt, because Chet Holmgren just proved he can’t be a full-time center. Steinbach would be good insurance for the Thunder. He’s a double-double machine; a glass cleaner with soft touch as a paint scorer and some solid interior defensive chops as well. Even if Oklahoma City didn’t need significant minutes from the big fella year one (which could be the case, especially if Thomas Sorber breaks out), this would be an ideal long-term developmental situation for Steinbach.

  1. Charlotte Hornets (via Phoenix): Chris Cenac Jr. (Big, Houston)

Another project pick for Charlotte, Cenac possesses some fun tools that the team could use to build him into the optimal combo big for their system. The kid’s mobility, finishing ability, and shooting potential are legit, he just needs time to iron everything out and grow into his frame. He won’t be ready for action as a rookie, but the Hornets can afford to be patient with Moussa Diabate and Ryan Kalkbrenner on board already. 

  1. Toronto Raptors: Christian Anderson (Point guard, Texas Tech)

Toronto has size, defense, and tenacity in spades up and down their lineup. They’re short on shooting, though, which was extra clear in the playoffs when Immanuel Quickley was injured. Anderson is one of the three to five best pure shooters in the draft, a flamethrower off the dribble and the catch who can also make stuff happen out of the pick-and-roll. He’s pretty small, but the Raptors have more than enough enormity to cover up his modest stature at least partially.

  1. San Antonio Spurs (via Atlanta): Jayden Quaintance (Big, Kentucky)

Quaintance was a consensus lottery guy for a large part of this cycle, but his injury problems have sent his stock plummeting as draft night approaches. It also doesn’t help his case that his offensive skillset is elementary. Still, if he stays healthy, the big man might hit All-Defensive heights in his prime. San Antonio nabbing Quaintance as their Wemby backup could be terrifying for the rest of the league.

  1. Detroit Pistons (via Minnesota): Bennett Stirtz (Point guard, Iowa)

Detroit’s roster is devoid of shot creation outside of Cade Cunningham (with a nod to Marcus Sasser and Daniss Jenkins), a blaring red flag that has to be addressed for the team to achieve true contender status. Stirtz proved himself time and time again in college as an offense unto himself, an ultra steady and heady floor general with inhuman stamina. Either off the bench or as a starter next to Cade, Stirtz would stir up the drink for the Pistons and add a healthy dose of flavor.

  1. Philadelphia 76ers (via Oklahoma City): Dailyn Swain (Wing, Texas)

Philly has a backcourt for the future in Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, and, for now, at least, they still have Joel Embiid manning the middle. Swain would complement that crew on the wing nicely. The Texas product could be a souped-up Kelly Oubre Jr. for the Sixers, slashing the paint and grinding on defense while also keeping the offense connected with his passing. Figuring out his jumper would make Swain a virtually impeccable role player.

  1. Atlanta Hawks (via Cleveland): Luigi Suigo (Center, Italy)

Aday Mara heard his name called before Atlanta’s first bite at the apple in this mock, but now they’re getting another massive foreign center in Luigi Suigo. The Italian, like Mara, is a plus passer for his position who can also work in the post and protect the rim from a standstill. Suigo is raw, but he has the makings of a funky difference maker at the five spot.

  1. New York Knicks: Meleek Thomas (Guard, Arkansas)

New York has done well to surround their supernova Jalen Brunson with top-notch off-ball players, and Meleek Thomas would be another drop in that bucket. Thomas is an uber-confident shooter who uses his unorthodox form to drill shots many players wouldn’t even think of attempting. He has a fiery motor, too, and could take on some of the point-of-attack matchups Brunson can’t handle.

  1. Los Angeles Lakers: Henri Veesaar (Big, North Carolina)

Veesaar’s towering presence on both ends is exactly what Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves need behind them. The Estonian can execute drop coverage effectively while doubling as an efficient roll and pop man. The only worry with this fit would be that Veesaar sometimes struggles with physicality, a flaw shared with Deandre Ayton, who drove JJ Redick and Lakers fans crazy this past season.

  1. Denver Nuggets: Koa Peat (Forward, Arizona)

Peat is built like an NBA player in every sense. He’s a truck of a man who can plow his way to the rim and jump out of the gym. His skills are a bit rudimentary, though, so he’s reliant on others setting the table for him. That said, there’s not a better playmaker he could join forces with than Nikola Jokic. It’s safe to say Peat and the Joker would link up for countless lob plays, similar to what Jokic and Aaron Gordon have done for years now.

  1. Boston Celtics: Tarris Reed Jr. (Center, UConn)

The gap between Neemias Queta and Nikola Vucevic in terms of playability in the playoffs for the Celtics was chasmic, so much so that the team would be smart to double down on ruggedness at center. Tarris Reed is an established winner with a definite understanding of his job on the court. His excellence as a traditional big would help him earn real minutes in year one for Boston.

  1. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Detroit): Sergio de Larrea (Guard, Spain)

With retirement on the horizon for Mike Conley, and the Rob Dillingham experiment having backfired, Minnesota needs to find a point guard that can take some burden off of Anthony Edwards’ back. Sergio de Larrea is a cerebral P&R director who knows his spots and how to find his teammates in theirs. His insufficient burst and strength will make his learning curve steep, but he has the IQ to rise the ranks.

  1. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Atlanta): Karim Lopez (Forward, Mexico)

Lopez is the biggest wildcard in the class. On one hand, he doesn’t have even one NBA trait right now, and everything from his jumper, to his handle, to his defense require incubation that could take two or three seasons. On the other hand, he has the foundation of a helpful utility forward with his blend of height, power, and budding ball skills. Maybe Cleveland isn’t a favorable spot for his development, but at the same time, they could really use a player like the conjectural version of Lopez alongside Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley.

  1. Dallas Mavericks (via Washington): Isaiah Evans (Wing, Duke)

The more spacing around Cooper Flagg, the better. Evans is a lethal movement shooter with endless confidence and a knack for the moment. His NBA role is obvious, and it’s one that would allow him to fit into any system. Here, he’d be reuniting with his former Duke brother Flagg as the Mavs look to regain their bearings post-Luka.

  1. New York Knicks (via Oklahoma City): Zuby Ejiofor (Big, St. John’s)
  2. Memphis Grizzlies (via Milwaukee): Allen Graves (Big, Santa Clara)
  3. Brooklyn Nets: Joshua Jefferson (Forward, Iowa State)
  4. Sacramento Kings: Trevon Brazile (Power forward, Arkansas)
  5. San Antonio Spurs (via Minnesota): Tyler Bilodeau (Power forward, UCLA)
  6. Los Angeles Clippers (via Atlanta): Quadir Copeland (Guard, NC State)
  7. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Dallas): Richie Saunders (Wing, BYU)
  8. Chicago Bulls (via Boston): Nate Bittle (Center, Oregon)
  9. Houston Rockets (via Washington): Jack Kayil (Guard, Germany)
  10. Boston Celtics (via Orlando): Ryan Conwell (Guard, Louisville)
  11. Miami Heat (via Charlotte): Maliq Brown (Big, Duke)
  12. San Antonio Spurs (via New Orleans): Nick Boyd (Point guard, Wisconsin)
  13. Brooklyn Nets (via Houston): Rafael Castro (Center, George Washington)
  14. San Antonio Spurs (via Indiana): Ugonna Onyenso (Center, Virginia)
  15. Sacramento Kings (via San Antonio): Baba Miller (Forward, Cincinnati)
  16. Orlando Magic: Emanuel Sharp (Wing, Houston)
  17. Phoenix Suns (via Houston): Keyshawn Hall (Wing, Auburn)
  18. Dallas Mavericks (via Washington): Noam Yaacov (Point guard, Denmark)
  19. Denver Nuggets (via Brooklyn): Braden Smith (Point guard, Purdue)
  20. Toronto Raptors: Alex Karaban (Forward, UConn)
  21. Washington Wizards (via Detroit): Ernest Udeh Jr. (Center, Miami)
  22. Los Angeles Clippers (via Cleveland): Tyler Nickel (Forward, Vanderbilt)
  23. Houston Rockets: Jaden Bradley (Guard, Arizona)
  24. Golden State Warriors (via Toronto): Graham Ike (Big, Gonzaga)
  25. New York Knicks: Aaron Nkrumah (Wing, Tennessee State)
  26. Chicago Bulls (via Minnesota): Chase Ross (Wing, Marquette)
  27. Atlanta Hawks (via Boston): William Kyle III (Big, Syracuse)
  28. New Orleans Pelicans (via New York): Izaiyah Nelson (Big, South Florida)
  29. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Indiana): Bruce Thornton (Guard, Ohio State)
  30. Washington Wizards (via San Antonio): Nick Martinelli (Forward, Northwestern)

Priority UDFAs: Felix Okpara (Center, Tennessee), Tre Carroll (Power forward, Xavier), Cade Tyson (Forward, Minnesota), Jalen Washington (Big, Vanderbilt), Donovan Atwell (Wing, Texas Tech), Dillon Mitchell (Forward, St. John’s), Milos Uzan (Guard, Houston), Bryce Hopkins (Forward, St. John’s), Jordan Riley (Guard, East Carolina), Kylan Boswell (Guard, Illinois)

Donovan Mitchell and What It Means To Be a Playoff Riser

Donovan Mitchell is under more scrutiny than ever before.

Outside of a 39-point second half in Game 4 and an all-around awesome Game 7, Mitchell had what can be considered a subpar series against the Pistons. The same can be said about his first round against Toronto. It’s not that he was playing objectively poorly, because he definitely wasn’t. He averaged 28.1 points versus Detroit. He just fell noticeably short of his lofty standards.

Mitchell has been widely considered one of the biggest playoff risers in the league for years. His postseason resume is littered with stretches of fantastic individual play. As a rookie in 2018, he posted 28.5 PPG in his very first playoff series, which Utah won. In the bubble in 2020, he put on his iconic 36.3 PPG masterclass against Denver. Every year, Mitchell has moments of brilliance when it matters most. He hasn’t earned the wins to match his reputation, but he’s managed to largely avoid criticism because it’s been tough to say he hasn’t done everything he could. Until now, that is.

But, even though he hasn’t been going nuclear, Cleveland is still finding success. Mitchell has advanced to the Conference Finals for the first time in his career despite his relatively underwhelming performance.

The correlation between Mitchell’s “struggles” and the deepest run he’s ever made is fascinating. Looking at that and his career as a whole raises the question: what does it really mean to be a playoff riser?

Ultimately, it boils down to two things: adaptability and mentality.

Elevating your game under the brightest lights isn’t about scoring a billion points or “carrying” your team. It’s not even really about anything tangible, or, at least, not something that applies to every player. Rather, it’s about the mental approach. It’s knowing what your team needs you to do to win and doing it at the highest level.

Game 7 against Detroit was Mitchell’s best outing of the playoffs so far, even though he scored “only” 26 points. Why? He played an entirely different brand of basketball than he had been playing, fulfilling what Cleveland needed from him. Instead of hunting mismatches in iso and settling for tough jumpers, he was laser-focused in pressuring the rim and making plays for others, not just himself. As a result, he dished out eight assists and finished with a +17 plus/minus while the Cavs won by 31 on the road.

Mitchell realized that he could impact the game not by scoring as many highlight buckets as possible, but by being a playmaker and seeking out easier looks when they came to him. That’s an example of the adaptability and mentality it takes to win a championship in the NBA.

In the Conference Finals (and beyond, if he makes it), Mitchell will hopefully carry over this mindset. If he can identify how he can help the Cavaliers beat this Knicks team and execute, he’ll find himself in the Finals. And if that happens, he’ll have the mantle of playoff riser cemented on him for life.

2026 NBA Draft Combine Scouting Notebook

I was lucky enough to be at the NBA Draft Combine this past week, acting as Brew Hoop’s boots on the ground, and it was an incredible experience. Now, I’m (unfortunately) back home, and I return with plenty of thoughts. In this article, I’m gonna dig into some winners and losers from the event, with some extra notes about other notable performers. 

I also wrote an article for Brew Hoop with some takeaways through a Bucks lens, so check that out to read what I have to say about some of the bigger names in the class who are projected to be available when Milwaukee is on the clock at 10 on draft night.

Let’s dive in!

Winners

Morez Johnson Jr.

For my money, only Cameron Carr did more to boost his stock this week than Morez Johnson. Johnson was already very deserving of lottery rankings, but he just firmly established himself in that tier. His athletic testing was ridiculous— how a 6’10”, 250lb guy can move as quickly and fluidly as him is beyond me. The only blip in his Combine performance was the spot-up shooting drill, but after throwing up some bricks in that, he turned right around and aced the movement drills.

Matt Able

There’s a chance Able goes back to college for another year, but it would be totally justifiable for him to be all in on the draft after the week he had. The freshman showcased a real NBA skillset, shooting the deep ball really well and making quick decisions off the dribble. He had some minor lapses in the scrimmages, but nothing abnormal for a kid his age, and he overall looked good in that setting. For Able, the choice to stay in school shouldn’t be about the money anymore, because he’d be sure to get a guaranteed deal in the league off the bat. The question is, does he want to continue his development in the NBA or at North Carolina?

Tyler Bilodeau

Bilodeau’s jumper flew as pure as anyone’s in the shooting drills on Tuesday. The UCLA veteran is a tried-and-true floor spacer with legit size. His NBA value proposition is clear and that should have him on radars for a two-way contract. Bilodeau was placed in groups with a lot of first round locks for testing and media availability. Does that mean anything? Probably not, but I still found it interesting.

Baba Miller

The first things that jump out with Miller are how giant he is (nearly 6’11” barefoot) and how well he moves at his size. The Cincinnati product had a strong scrimmage showing on Wednesday specifically, looking a step above the competition as a functional athlete. He had some moments of questionable decision making and over-dribbling, but he also made sharp passing reads and knocked down a couple triples. This is a certified second-round-caliber guy.

Jeremy Fears Jr.

Fears was phenomenal in the scrimmages. In what’s inherently a disorganized setting, he controlled the chaos and took over the game as a floor general, dictating every offensive possession and making all of his teammates look better. The jumper is a real concern, as is the fact that he’s just 6’0” barefoot. I had it in my mind all week that he’d be going back to Michigan State no matter what, but walking away, I’d draft him in the second round this year. Guys as smart as him don’t grow on trees.

Felix Okpara

This is a deep center class, and Okpara has generally moved in the shadows as a result. His value came to light this week, though, as he impacted the scrimmages with his activity and enthusiasm for the dirty work. Okpara is a traditional big and has all of the tools to excel in that lane. His mobility and IQ put him a tier ahead of some of his more cumbersome peers.

Dillon Mitchell

Mitchell was awesome in almost every facet of the game during the scrimmages. He’s an all-world athlete who hustles hard and plays within the flow of an offense. There’s one major problem though. He basically can’t score. He can get a bucket in transition, sure, but in the halfcourt, it can get rough. That’s a serious red flag, but he let teams know at the Combine that he can overcome that (to some degree) and still contribute.

Nick Boyd

Boyd showed at the Combine what Badger fans saw all season: he’s an NBA player, period. His speed, dexterity, and coordination are all elite, and he pairs those physical traits with unquantifiable feel for the game and unmatched competitive spirit to make his presence felt on every court he steps on. Wisconsin’s finest had two solid scrimmage outings that woke more people up to what he brings to the table.

Noam Yaacov

Yaacov to the G League Combine was equivalent to what Jeremy Fears was to the NBA Combine. The Danish guard is quick as a wink and he has his handle on a string. He was a leader on the floor, communicating constantly and organizing his allies to arrange the offensive attack. If he leaves his name in the draft, a guaranteed contract could have his name on it.

DJ Armstrong

A relatively unknown name before the Combine, Armstrong earned some new fans (well, at least one new fan: me) with how he played in the G League scrimmages. The UMBC guard is a sniper. He can get hot in a jiffy and hit a variety of treys. Shooting can get a guy’s foot in the door, and it’s going to do so for Armstrong.

Fletcher Loyer

Speaking of shooters, it’s become impossible to ignore Fletcher Loyer. Is it likely that he’s going to have anything more than a cup of coffee in the league? Nah, probably not. But, the chance he sticks is higher than it’s ever been. He has one cemented NBA skill, and it happens to be one of the most important ones. Plus, he’s smart and he’s a winner. 

Losers

Tyler Tanner

Tanner’s skeptics got some fresh fuel early in the week when he measured in just short of 5’11” barefoot. The big driver of his falling stock was his Combine scrimmages, though. It was admirable that he chose to suit up when most guys of his status don’t (in fact, another guy is on here because he didn’t play enough), but it kind of came back to bite him. He was largely invisible out there amongst competition he’s supposed to be better than. Ultimately, Tanner should return to Vanderbilt and continue to hone his craft. A first round slot would almost certainly be his in 2027.

Allen Graves

It’s been tough for me to fully buy the Graves hype, and this week didn’t help. His athletic testing was underwhelming, as were his shooting drills. Perhaps playing in the scrimmages could have flipped the narrative for the Santa Clara forward. Look, he’s going to be some kind of useful role player, but at this point in time, anything higher than a pick in the 30s would feel rich for Graves.

Joshua Jefferson

The title of worst performer in drills may belong to Jefferson, whose athletic and shooting numbers were very far from ideal. Now, if you’re a Jefferson believer, it’s not because of his bounce or agility, it’s because of his smarts and toughness. The All-American didn’t do anything that dampened those strengths, but his weaknesses were on full blast.

Reuben Chinyelu

Chinyelu’s motor and activity were great in the scrimmages, so much so that I almost left him off this section. However, his ball skills looked, frankly, terrible, and that’s really rough, man. The necessary floor for big men in the NBA today when it comes to IQ and feel are higher than ever. Most guys of Chinyelu’s size can make effective short roll reads, or at least just catch and dunk the rock with ease. Meanwhile, Chinyelu fumbled like half of the passes that came his way this week. That’s something for him to work on if he goes back to Florida.

Peter Suder

There was no issue with Suder’s general process. The problem is that he just couldn’t buy a basket in the drills or the scrimmages. His senior year at Miami (OH) was his only collegiate season where he shot the three efficiently, and even that was on low volume, so there are questions about the legitimacy of his shooting that he didn’t answer this week. For a guy with a pretty low athletic cap, that’s worrisome.

John Blackwell

If there’s one thing Blackwell made clear in his three years at Wisconsin, it’s that he can score. We keep waiting to see what else he can do, but he hasn’t shown us that yet and the clock is ticking. If/when he drops out of the draft to play at Duke, he’ll need to develop as a point guard offensively and a defender to make a tangible leap in draft rankings. Unfortunately, that might be a tough ask at this point in his career.

Dailyn Swain

Swain played in the scrimmage on Wednesday, which he didn’t have to do, given he’s undoubtedly a first round pick. But, he was mediocre in that game, and after that, he opted to sit out on Thursday, leaving scouts with a more sour taste in their mouths. He had nothing to lose, he should’ve gone out there on Thursday. Also, his jumper looked quite clunky in drills.

Jaxon Kohler

Kohler is not an NBA player. It sounds harsh, but it really isn’t, coming from a guy like me who appreciates the G League (and every other league in the world, even if I don’t keep up with EuroLeague and NBL stuff). He’s a big dude who can shoot, he’s gonna be valuable somewhere, it’s just not going to be the NBA. He’s not athletic enough and that was obvious at the G League Combine.

Lamar Wilkerson

Wilkerson wasn’t filling up the scoring column in the G League Combine scrimmages like he did at Indiana, which is fine, because he’ll be a role player in the NBA anyway. However, his inability to contribute in other aspects caused him to go ghost out there. He’s gotta work on the ancillary stuff to stick.

Other Players of Note

Christian Anderson

Anderson measured smaller than most of his small guard peers, but he outdid them athletically, so make of that what you will. Also, in the least surprising news ever, he scorched nets in drills.

Tarris Reed Jr.

Reed played in both scrimmages, easily one of the top players to do so. His Wednesday game left me wanting more, and he gave more to me on Thursday. He looked considerably steadier and more skilled than the Chinyelus and Flory Bidungas of the world. 

Isaiah Evans

Evans inexplicably struggled in shooting drills, and his athletic stuff was poor too. The larger sample is correct in saying he’s still a marksman, but it wasn’t his week.

Braden Smith

Smith’s scrimmages were similar to Fears’ in the sense that he was just so in control out there, shaping and molding every play with the rock in his hands. He measured in at a mere 5’10” barefoot, but it might just not matter with him because he’s a genius.

Trey Kaufman-Renn

How ‘bout all three Purdue guys having positive outings? TKR earned himself a call-up from the G League Combine to the big stage, making his play-finishing utility look as intriguing as ever.

Jacob Cofie

Cofie was on track to be a party crasher like Matt Able, but his momentum waned a bit as the week went on. He finished on a high note with a good scrimmage on Thursday, but he’ll still likely end up back at USC, where he should be a beast as a junior.

Tobi Lawal

Lawal wowed the whole gym when he soared for a 45.5 inch maximum vertical on Tuesday. The rest of his game is a bit iffy, but you can’t say he’s not athletic enough to be in the league.

Aaron Nkrumah

Another guy who got the promotion from the G League Combine to the NBA Combine, Nkrumah delivered some sharp 3&D play in scrimmages. The Tennessee State product is one of the true sleepers in the class.

Tre Donaldson

Donaldson was one of the best players on the floor in the G League Combine scrimmages. He has an uphill battle to the NBA ahead of him, but he’s a fun pace-pushing guard who is going to succeed as a pro somewhere.

2025-26 NBA Award Show

Another NBA regular season is in the books. Honestly, 2025-26 was kind of a weird one. An onslaught of injuries really junked up the year, specifically in the award department. So many of the names we’re used to seeing compete for All-NBA and All-Defensive slots were snuffed out by the pesky 65-game rule.

That said, though, there is still so much eligible talent worth celebrating. It’s become such a buzz term to say the league is more stacked than ever, but it’s true. So, I’m proud to present my annual NBA award picks. This article includes my “votes” for all of the real awards as well as Bench Mob Player of the Year and the All-Bench-Mob teams. Let’s dive in!

(Note: for brevity, ineligible players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Cade Cunningham will not be listed anywhere. Honorable mention lists will only include eligible guys.)  

Coach of the Year

Honorable Mentions: Mitch Johnson, Mark Daigneault, Jordan Ott, David Adelman

Finalist: J.B. Bickerstaff

This isn’t the first time J.B. Bickerstaff has been in Coach of the Year talks after leading a team out of a rebuild. He has three top-five finishes for this honor under his belt and it’s likely to become four. Bickerstaff conducted an unbelievable turnaround for the Pistons, transforming a laughably bad club into a force to be reckoned with in two years’ time.

Finalist: Charles Lee

One of the best kept secrets in the NBA world is that this generation of young coaches is insane. There are some potential all-timers on the rise, including Charles Lee. A two-time champion as an assistant, Lee knows what winning teams look like, and he’s turned the usually mediocre Hornets into one. The 41-year-old optimized his talent in Charlotte, making them a squad capable of competing with anyone on any given night.

Finalist: Joe Mazzulla

Mazzulla is one of the best minds (and personalities) in all of basketball. He’s instilled an unshakeable, deeply-rooted culture in Boston that fosters success regardless of who’s in the lineup. In the words of Bill Simmons, the Celtics isn’t Jayson Tatum’s team or Jaylen Brown’s. It’s Joe Mazzulla’s.

2025-26 Coach of the Year: Joe Mazzulla

Sixth Man of the Year

Honorable Mentions: Reed Sheppard, Ajay Mitchell, Ayo Dosunmu, Naz Reid, Collin Sexton, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes, Isaiah Stewart

Finalist: Tim Hardaway Jr.

Timmy Junior was a constant for the Nuggets as they dealt with various injuries throughout the season. The veteran marksman appeared in 80 games, averaging 13.5 points and shooting 40.7% from deep on 6.9 attempts per game. Nobody in the league hit more threes off the pine than him. Hardaway has always been a human heat check. This year, he realized he was on fire way more often than not.

Finalist: Jaime Jaquez Jr.

After a disappointing sophomore campaign, Jaquez is back on the track he was on as a rookie. The UCLA product was key to Miami’s funky ball-screen-averse system, using his nifty post game to create advantages for himself and others inside the arc. He led the NBA in total bench points with 1138 and was second in assists behind only Jamal Shead.

Finalist: Keldon Johnson

Not enough positive things can be said about Keldon Johnson’s development and maturation with the Spurs. He’s accepted a bench role and thrived in it, despite having a 22.0 PPG season as a starter under his belt. That wasn’t an easy transition— he said it himself in a recent Player’s Tribune article. But, he pulled it off, and he’s been a leader for an incredible San Antonio squad in all senses. Keldon finished second in total bench scoring and fourth in cumulative plus/minus.

2025-26 Sixth Man of the Year: Keldon Johnson

Most Improved Player

Honorable Mentions: Collin Gillespie, Neemias Queta, Jalen Johnson, Deni Avdija

Finalist: Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Alexander-Walker set the NBA ablaze this season, making an improbable leap from quality 3&D guy to 20-point-per-game scorer on a playoff team. His ascension was fueled by his lethal shooting— only Kon Knueppel, LaMelo Ball, and Luka Doncic drilled more triples than him on the year. Most of his bucket-getting was done off the ball, making the production feel extra sustainable and scalable. The best part? He maintained his defensive effort despite shouldering an increased offensive load.

Finalist: Jalen Duren

Duren was centric (pun partially intended) to Detroit’s prosperity on both sides of the ball. He notched a career-best 19.5 points a night, displaying a higher level of aggression than ever before with the rock in his hands. The first-time All-Star’s greatest improvement came on defense, though. In the past, he struggled with positioning, awareness, effort, and fouls, all fatal flaws for big men given the roles they play on that end. Duren has now erased all of those concerns, as he just anchored the East’s best fortification, making a sneaky case for All-Defense.

Finalist: Ryan Rollins

Nobody in the association genuinely improved more than Ryan Rollins. His season was the definition of a breakout. The former second-round pick posted career-highs in all five major categories, notably jumping from 6.2 PPG to 17.3. Rollins’ competitive attitude, silky scoring, and poise in the clutch gave Bucks fans something to get excited about in an otherwise dumpy year.

2025-26 Most Improved Player: Ryan Rollins

Defensive Player of the Year

Honorable Mentions: Chet Holmgren, Rudy Gobert, Derrick White, Evan Mobley, OG Anunoby

Finalist: Scottie Barnes

If you want a versatile defender, look no further than Scottie Barnes. Toronto’s finest is something like a modern Draymond Green with the way he can make every hat look good on the side of the ball that wins championships. Barnes finished top ten in both steals and blocks this season, the only player to do so, while directing the Raptors’ fifth-ranked defensive unit.

Finalist: Ausar Thompson

Ausar is the premier wing stopper in all of basketball. He bothers superstars more than anyone else. His freak athleticism certainly helps him out, but the young twin also has uncanny instincts and a relentless motor. Thompson led the NBA in steals per game at 2.0 and spearheaded Detroit’s elite defense from the point of attack.

Finalist: Victor Wembanyama

We’ve never seen a defender like Victor Wembanyama. He impacts every single possession with his astonishing ability to cover ground and insurmountable length and size. The Alien paced the league in blocks for the third straight season. What else really needs to be said?

2025-26 Defensive Player of the Year: Victor Wembanyama

Rookie of the Year

Honorable Mentions: Dylan Harper, Jeremiah Fears, Cedric Coward, Ace Bailey, Maxime Raynaud, Derik Queen, Will Riley, Tre Johnson

Finalist: VJ Egdecombe

Edgecombe was a nonstop source of energy for the 76ers this season. He delivered explosive highlights on O and D, but he also did the little things, all while playing 35 minutes a night. The third overall pick out of Baylor finished third in PPG and APG amongst freshmen. It’s safe to say Philly is happy to have him around for the long haul.

Finalist: Cooper Flagg

It’s tough to say the consensus top dog in the class did anything but live up to the hype as a freshman, despite the critiques you may see on social media. Flagg carried Dallas’ offense for countless stretches, scoring inside the arc with the strength and polish of a 10-year pro. He finished the year averaging 21.0 points and 4.5 assists and poured in 40+ points four different times. Those are wildly impressive figures for a rookie, especially within the context of how bad the spacing (and team in general, really) around him was. There’s no limit to how good this kid could become.

Finalist: Kon Knueppel

Whew, man, this was a special season from Knueppel. He led the entire freaking NBA in three-pointers as a rook. That’s nuts! The Wisconsin native benefitted from the system he was drafted to in Charlotte, yes, but he was also integral to making that system work. Knueppel is a virtually flawless off-ball offensive player already. His ceiling isn’t as high as Flagg’s, but he ultimately had a better rookie campaign than his Duke teammate.

2025-26 Rookie of the Year: Kon Knueppel

Most Valuable Player

Honorable Mentions: Luka Doncic, Kawhi Leonard, Jaylen Brown, Donovan Mitchell

Finalist: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

From start to finish, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the most consistently dominant (and overall best) player of the 2025-26 regular season. In many ways, he’s approaching basketball robot territory. He’s an automatic scorer at every level and an impeccable decision maker. You can try your hardest, but you will not stop him, evidenced by his passing of Wilt Chamberlain for most consecutive games with 20+ points.

Finalist: Nikola Jokic

Somehow, Jokic continues to boost his already absurd levels of production each year. The three-time MVP led the league in rebounds (12.9) and assists (10.7) per game while posting a hyper-efficient 27.7 points. The craziest part? He makes it all look so easy. The Joker barely met the 65-game requirement, but he got there, setting the stage for a sixth straight top-three MVP finish.

Finalist: Victor Wembanyama

Wemby has been pelted with almost unfairly lofty expectations constantly, but somehow, he’s managed to shatter all of them. Superlatives to do this guy justice just do not exist. We already touched on the defense, but Vic also averaged 25.0 points and 3.0 assists on 51.2% shooting this year. He’s a two-way supernova who is going to break basketball.

But, he doesn’t have unchallenged reign over the NBA just yet.

2025-26 Most Valuable Player: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Bench Mob Player of the Year

Honorable Mentions: Dru Smith, Jamaree Bouyea, Moussa Cisse

Finalist: Luka Garza

Garza embodies adaptability, the model trait of a Bench Mobbler. He was tasked with all types of roles over the course of the season, from starter to DNP-CD, and he was ready for whatever came his way. The Iowa legend was a real spark for the Celtics in what was supposed to be a down year. His post scoring and floor spacing were big time off the bench.

Everything Garza accomplished is a testament to his unmatched work ethic. He won seven Bench Mob Player of the Day awards on the season and was named a Bench Mob All-Star for the first time.

Finalist: Caleb Love

Love was having one of the all-time great two-way contract seasons before Portland popped the tires, choosing not to convert his deal as his eligibility dwindled. He was averaging 11.3 points before the All-Star break, but logged just 13 minutes across four games after the hiatus. Still, his run in the fall and early winter shouldn’t be forgotten, and he’ll undoubtedly be ready to pick up where he left off in 2026-27.

Love was named captain of the 2026 Bench Mob All-Star team and won seven BM POTDs.

Finalist: Jordan Miller

Miller has gone through some ups and downs in his three-year career. As a rookie, he played 28 total minutes. In year two, he showed some flashes, even earning a contract conversion, but he was demoted back to a two-way last summer. Finally, he was able to break through in 2025-26, showcasing his smooth on-ball scoring and playmaking chops while helping the Clippers pull off a historic midseason U-turn. Miller averaged 10.0 points and 2.3 assists in 22.1 minutes, looking like a core piece for LA.

Miller earned 10 BM POTD this year, tying Jay Huff for the all-time single-season record. He, naturally, was also named a Bench Mob All-Star.

2025-26 Bench Mob Player of the Year: Jordan Miller

All-NBA Teams

First Team: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, Luka Doncic, Kawhi Leonard

Second Team: Jaylen Brown, Donovan Mitchell, Tyrese Maxey, Jalen Brunson, Kevin Durant

Third Team: Jamal Murray, Jalen Duren, Jalen Johnson, James Harden, LaMelo Ball

(Note: if Luka Doncic is deemed ineligible, then Brown would be bumped up to first team, Murray would go to second team, and Scottie Barnes would get the third team nod.)

All-Defensive Teams

First Team: Victor Wembanyama, Ausar Thompson, Scottie Barnes, Chet Holmgren, Rudy Gobert

Second Team: Derrick White, Evan Mobley, OG Anunoby, Bam Adebayo, Cason Wallace

All-Rookie Teams

First Team: Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, VJ Edgecombe, Dylan Harper, Jeremiah Fears

Second Team: Ace Bailey, Maxime Raynaud, Cedric Coward, Derik Queen, Will Riley

All-Bench-Mob Teams

First Team: Luka Garza, Jordan Miller, Caleb Love, Jamaree Bouyea, Dru Smith

Second Team: Moussa Cisse, Dylan Cardwell, Pat Spencer, Jabari Walker, Pete Nance

Third Team: Micah Potter, Nae’Qwan Tomlin, Sharife Cooper, Bryce McGowens, Jalen Pickett

So, those are my official 2025-26 awards picks. Let me know what you agree and disagree with by tweeting @finleykuehl. Thanks for reading— see you next time! 

Building My NBA Dream Team

This is an article I’ve been meaning to write for a long time. The “dream team” I’ve assembled here isn’t a homage to my favorite players, rather, a manifestation of my basketball philosophy. I’ve constructed a roster that represents the style of ball I’d want my team to play as a coach or a general manager.

I’ll lay out the foundation of my philosophy here before naming the roster. Offensively, I’m very much a believer in the stereotypical modern NBA style of offense that emphasizes pick-and-rolls, off-ball split and cut actions and, of course, the three-point shot. We’ll be playing perimeter-centric hoops, but it will all stem from rim pressure. Getting paint touches off drives is the best way to open up shooters, especially when the guy driving is a real threat to score inside. We’ll be leaning heavily on my star (who I’ll reveal soon), but everyone around him accentuates his strengths and will be able to capitalize on the type of advantages I want to create. I’ll add that while three-point-maxing, Daryl Morey-style, is fun in theory, becoming reliant on the long ball is a dangerous game. Just look at those 2017-2020ish Rockets teams, or my Wisconsin Badgers. So, I want to focus on generating good looks from deep, not just chucking and hoping the numbers trend our way.

Defensively, my biggest priority is scheme versatility. I’ve watched more than enough Bucks basketball in the past five years to know relying primarily on one type of defense (drop coverage, in Milwaukee’s case) is a recipe to lose in the playoffs. That said, I sought out players who can wear a lot of hats on the defensive end and will be able to adjust schematically with no issues. I want to have counters for any type of offense we may face.

As much as I’d love to pair Victor Wembanyama with Luka Doncic and Jayson Tatum, I opted to build a realistic lineup, at least in terms of talent level. I didn’t consider salaries in the slightest, I wanted to have some fun here, but I don’t think a roster similar to this one would be impossible to have at all. It’s not significantly better than what OKC, Boston or Cleveland have right now.

Now that the framework of the ideology is in place, here is my dream 10-man rotation:

PG1: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Wanting Shai as my franchise guy doesn’t really need much explanation in a vacuum. You need a best-in-the-world caliber player to win a title, Shai is obviously that, and that’s why he’s here. But, I chose him over Jokic, Giannis, Luka or Wemby because he best fits what my ideal star would look like. I don’t want a small guard, and I don’t want a big man either because I don’t want to play post-up basketball. Shai is wing-sized, he can handle the rock and get his own bucket at every level at any time and he pressures the rim as well as anyone in the history of the sport. He’s going to open up shooters and torch defenses out of the pick-and-roll. He’s an impeccable decision-maker in my opinion, and I trust him more than Giannis or Luka to carry a heliocentric level of usage on a successful team. He just led OKC to a championship last June, and he’s going to do the same for my squad.

SG1: Desmond Bane

My second star is one of the most underrated players in the league right now. He’s been pegged as mainly a shooter, which is somewhat fair, because he certainly is elite from beyond the arc. But, at this stage of his career, Bane is almost better as a slasher and secondary playmaker than he is as a shooter, which is saying something. He’s a really effective driver and he can set guys up out of the P&R. He’s beyond capable of taking pressure off Shai for stretches, but he’s also a stupidly perfect pairing alongside him. The best way to slow Shai down is to sell out in the gaps and make him a passer, but defenses are going to have to think twice about helping off of Bane. Pick your poison!

SF1: Jaden McDaniels

One word sums up why I like McDaniels: versatility. He does it all on both sides of the ball. Defensively, he can be the main point-of-attack stopper, but he can also switch onto anybody and make plays as a weakside helper. Offensively, he’s developed into a strong shooter, but he can also score off the bounce if he gets run off the line. We’ve seen him produce at a high level on O in Anthony Edwards’ absence before, and I’d feel pretty good about scaling him up to be a full-time third option.

PF1: OG Anunoby

Anunoby and McDaniels would be an all-time-great pairing defensively on the wing. Anunoby is as versatile as anyone in the game on defense, and he would be the key to unlocking the type of scheme malleability I want to install in this team. He’s grown into a nice complementary offensive player too. He hits his spot-up threes and he can attack a closeout. If he was a bit better as a rebounder and passer, he would be the optimal modern forward.

C1: Nic Claxton (Jarrett Allen)

I went back and forth a good bit for the center position. Rim protection is the single most important and impactful defensive trait in my opinion. That’s why I almost picked Jarrett Allen here, because he can warden the paint stoically, but he also has some juice as a hedge and switch guy. Plus, he’s more dynamic than the average play-finishing center offensively. However, I ultimately landed on Nic Claxton because he is one of the most elastic defenders at the five in the league. I trust him on switches as much as any other guy of his size. Offensively, Clax will help us run some of the split-action stuff I mentioned earlier. He’s improved as a passer in the past couple years, and he can put the ball on the floor and drive with wing-like movement patterns from the high-post area. Claxton is also a quality lob threat in the pick-and-roll.

PG2: Collin Sexton

I love Sexton for two reasons. One, he’s way more efficient than the average backcourt microwave scorer. Two, he’s a tier-one competitor. He’s overqualified as a sixth man, but that’s the role he’s been placed in this season, so I’d use him as one, and I feel very confident in his ability to spark my offense off the bench. He gets downhill and touches the paint at a high rate, so between him and Shai, defenses won’t get a break from defending drives. I’d also coach him to increase his three-point attempt rate because his current volume (about four 3PA per game) doesn’t match his talent as a shooter.

SG2: Quentin Grimes

This team wouldn’t be complete without a real 3&D guy. Grimes is a reliable movement shooter and on-ball defender who can play alongside anybody off-ball. He can do some stuff off the bounce, too. Don’t forget his Mickey Mouse March 21.9 PPG run from last season.

SF2: Aaron Wiggins

Similar to Sexton, I also believe Aaron Wiggins is very overqualified for his role as an eighth man on the Thunder. He does everything you could want from a role-playing wing, from shooting and cutting to limiting turnovers and competing on defense. Plus, his on-ball scoring package is more polished than that of most guys of his make and model. The logic of adding Wiggins and Grimes is pretty simple: they’re the type of support staff who can thrive in any situation.

PF2: Dean Wade

Wade would act as an extension of Anunoby and McDaniels on the defensive end. He’s the best wing stopper that nobody talks about. This is a guy who always plays within his role and excels in it. I don’t think you could ask for much more from a 10th man as a playoff team.

C2: Day’Ron Sharpe (Moussa Diabate)

Once again, I struggled to land on a center here. My ideal backup big would be super low maintenance with a high motor and propensity for doing the little things. Moussa Diabate came to mind right away as an elite rebounder with the athletic prowess to move his feet on defense and catch lobs. But, after some more thought, I flipped to Day’Ron Sharpe, who statistically is just as good as, if not better than, Diabate as a rebounder while also offering some passing flair and more feel offensively overall. All told, two Brooklyn Nets make my dream team. Who woulda thought it?

So, that’s my NBA dream team. I just did a lot of yapping so I’ll close things out here. I’d love to hear your thoughts on my squad, as well as who would be on your dream team. Feel free to toss your thoughts at me on Twitter (X) @finleykuehl, I’m always on there talking ball. Thanks for reading!

What More Does LaMelo Ball Need To Do?

LaMelo Ball is having the most impactful season of his career. Ironically, though, it’s also the quietest one.

We’re talking about one of the most loved stars of the 2020s here, especially amongst more casual fans. Ball has been a household name since high school. He’s a walking highlight reel with a distinct personality, and he brings an infectious level of joy and excitement to the game. LaMelo is truly one of one.

It’s hard not to be captivated by Ball as a fan, which is what’s made him such a popular figure in the NBA world. It also obviously helps his case that he’s a good player. The former Rookie of the Year made his first All-Star game as a sophomore in 2021-22, and he’s had a case to earn the honor multiple times since then. In 2024-25, he was considered by many to be an All-Star lock, and there was a significant bit of outrage when he didn’t make it.

Ball averaged 20 PPG in four of his first five seasons. He’s done some incredible things on the court so far in his career. The one thing he never did, though, was win. That’s not entirely his fault, because the Hornets have rolled out some pretty poor rosters in recent years. But, if you wanted to make a knock on him, you could’ve said he was an empty stats guy and that his playstyle didn’t translate to winning.

With the way 2025-26 is going for Charlotte, you can’t say that anymore.

The Hornets have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA since 2026 began. They’re finally looking like a playoff-caliber team, and a big reason for that has been LaMelo’s growth and maturation. 

He’s always had a sporadic (if not flat-out wild) playstyle, which is just what makes him him. But, he’s reigning things in a little this season, focusing more on playing within a system and being a leader. The change is paying off for him. Right now, he’s the best player he’s ever been.

You wouldn’t know that just looking at the counting stats. He’s averaging 19.3 points, the fewest since his rookie campaign, on a career-low (and slightly gross) 39.8% from the field. However, when you watch him play, you feel the difference. He’s still taking (and making) a lot of shots, but he’s cutting down on some of the absurd looks he’s been prone to attempting. His playmaking is popping more than ever, as he finally has real weapons around him and he seeks to activate them.

LaMelo’s willingness to take somewhat of a backseat has contributed to more success for Charlotte, but it’s come at a cost. He’s no longer “the man” in Buzz City in the eyes of the NBA mediaspace. They’ve dumped LaMelo in favor of Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller, the shiny new toys.

Look, Knueppel and Miller are both awesome players having awesome seasons. Knueppel should be the Rookie of the Year favorite right now. Miller has future All-Star written all over him. But those two guys are not better than Melo.

With Miller, it shouldn’t even be a debate. Almost all of his value comes from scoring, specifically shooting— he takes more shots in the short mid-range than he does at the rim. He’s on a crazy hot streak, but when he inevitably cools off, it will be clear that he isn’t as important to making the Hornets go as LaMelo is.

Knueppel has more dimensions to his game than Miller, but he’s still first and foremost an off-ball shooter. He’s been an impeccable fit in Charlotte’s perimeter-heavy system, and another way to look at that is he’s being maximized by their style of play, allowing him to look better than he actually is in a vacuum. It’s tough to imagine him reaching the heights he’s touched as a rookie if he was in Washington or Sacramento. 

LaMelo, on the other hand, is the driver for the Hornets, the guy who kickstarts the engine and lights the flame with his electric creation ability. Again, for emphasis, he’s the leader for this team and the most central part of their identity. Knueppel and Miller need him more than he needs them.

None of this is meant to be anti-Knueppel or anti-Miller propaganda. It’s all just pro-LaMelo talk, something he deserves more of. The one-time national favorite is doing what people begged him to do forever, win, but now that he’s doing it, he’s been cast aside. That’s not fair. 

The bottom line? Put some respect on LaMelo Ball’s name.

How Sam Merrill and Isaiah Joe Are Redefining the Three-Point Specialist Role

Sam Merrill is playing the best ball of his career this season. He’s averaging 13.4 points and 2.2 assists while shooting an absurd 47.4% from three on 7.3 attempts per game. The former 60th overall pick has become indispensable for the Cavaliers, regularly appearing in the starting lineup. Cleveland is 7.2 points per 100 possessions better when he’s on the floor, according to Cleaning the Glass. His impact is off the charts. He’s one of the most underrated players in hoops. 

On the surface, though, Merrill is just another three-point specialist, a trade that’s trending toward extinction in today’s NBA. Guys who can’t adapt to different situations and contribute in multiple ways aren’t valuable in high-leverage games. Joe Harris, Bryn Forbes, Evan Fournier and many more snipers have fizzled out of the league in recent years due to their one-dimensionalness. Why hasn’t Merrill met that same fate? He isn’t actually a specialist.

Bryn Forbes could outscore Jimmy Butler in a playoff series, but he couldn’t defend a parked car. Merrill, on the other hand, is an 81st percentile isolation defender and a 93rd percentile screen navigator according to BBall Index. He’s not the type of point-of-attack stalwart you’d stick on a star like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for a full game, but he guards his yard really well. Merrill stays disciplined, bumps guys off their spots with his thicker frame, contests shots and overall just doesn’t get picked on.

Merrill is also the definition of a low-mistake player. He commits just 1.2 turnovers per 75 possessions, an 80th percentile rate. He’s not a standout playmaker, but he keeps the ball moving.

Role players who can’t guard and cost their teams possessions are liabilities, and liabilities don’t see the floor in the playoffs. Merrill played 19.9 minutes a night for the Cavs in the 2025 postseason.

It’s true that most of Merrill’s value comes from his shooting. He is, after all, a top five shooter in the world. His medley of unbelievable efficiency and sky-high volume would be borderline unprecedented if Steph Curry didn’t exist. That said, though, he wouldn’t be able to put his three-point talents on full display if he couldn’t do the little things that help teams win.

Isaiah Joe is a very similar case. He’s lethal from beyond the arc, easily the best shooter on OKC’s roster and one of the better pure shooters in the league as a whole. And, just like Merrill, he doesn’t turn it over and he holds his own on D. Oklahoma City is 2.3 points per 100 possessions better offensively with Joe in the lineup, which is in large part because of his shooting (they need it), but again, he couldn’t make that big of a difference if he wasn’t well-rounded.

Sam Merrill and Isaiah Joe (two former Bench Mob Players of the Year, by the way) are redefining what it means to be three-point specialists, allowing them to make tangible impacts on contending teams. Moving forward, smart organizations should be prioritizing these modernized marksmen over the Luke Kennards and Buddy Hields of the world. They’ll be patting themselves on the back come playoff time.

Cam Thomas, Moneyball and the Joy of Unwavering Fandom

Jon Horst is a fascinating fella. The moves he makes always seem to come out of left field. He works in silence and almost never does what’s obvious. You have to tip your cap to the guy, because the swings he takes have resulted in a championship, but also, more importantly, Giannis Antetokounmpo sticking around for all these years. He’s definitely not a bad GM, but he’s an unorthodox one for sure.

The main thing that makes the way Horst does business abstract is his taste in players. In the iconic movie Moneyball, Billy Beane seeks out players who are statistically effective but have some sort of prominent flaw. Horst does exactly that. Think about Milwaukee’s roster for second. It’s full of guys with odd and unique quirks. 

Bobby Portis, for example, can be a game-changing microwave scorer off the bench, but he might be the least willing passer in the league and he’s addicted to head-scratching long twos. 

Kevin Porter Jr. is one of the 75 most talented basketball players in the world, but he processes the game worse than some high school point guards and his shot selection is putrid.

Kyle Kuzma, to his credit, is having a genuinely solid bounce-back season after a pretty brutal 2025 playoffs, but, more often than not, he makes the sport look incredibly hard to play. The dude is just awkward.

Jericho Sims has bricks for hands.

Even Giannis himself has some fundamental flaws to his game, most notably his endlessly mind-blowingly poor performances at the free throw line.

Now, basketball is inherently a game of tradeoffs. No player or roster is without their blemishes, so winning games is all about maximizing the strengths of your personnel while hiding the downsides as much as possible. That said, though, this Milwaukee squad is extra weird, and unfortunately, it’s starting to show in the standings. This is the worst the Bucks have been in a long time. Even with Giannis healthy, it was clear heading into the trade deadline that there wasn’t much upside for things to get better without a classic Horst shocker. So, all eyes were on the man in the front office at the trade deadline. What would he do to try and turn things around for this team?

Well, he added another Moneyball guy, of course. Enter Cam Thomas.

Thomas is the best scorer on the planet. Just ask him, he’ll tell you. When he’s on the floor, he’s chucking up a shot every time he gets a chance. He’d rather take the most stupidly difficult middie you’ve ever seen than swing the rock. His playstyle is bonkers, as is his seeming unwillingness to change the way he approaches the game. To be fair, though, Thomas is unbelievably gifted when it comes to putting the ball in the net. He’s a 20-point game disguised as a human with an emotionless face.

You can’t blame Horst at all for taking a gamble on a talent like Thomas on such a cheap contract. There’s serious boom potential here, no matter what way you spin it.

But, at the same time, try to imagine a lineup of Thomas, Kevin Porter Jr., Kyle Kuzma, Bobby Portis and Jericho Sims without physically cringing or laughing out loud. There’s a relatively high chance that we’ll see that group spend significant time on the court together in the near future.

Look, things are pretty bleak for the Bucks right now. Giannis is injured. Cam Thomas is apparently supposed to be the savior. Fans are so starved for young talent that they’re rallying around Ousmane Dieng.

(Dieng, by the way, represents Horst’s other favorite type of flawed player: the “what does he even do?” prospect. Every year, the man drafts some raw kid with no clear NBA skill instead of a polished multi-year collegiate product, and he’s found little success in doing so. MarJon Beauchamp, AJ Johnson, Tyler Smith and Chris Livingston have all flamed out already. You’d think Horst would’ve learned his lesson by now.)

Despite all that, one thing is for sure: Bucks fans shouldn’t give up on this team. We’ve enjoyed quite the run of success in the Giannis era. We saw them win a freaking championship, man! Things were always going to spiral at some point, and the beginning of that fall off seems to be upon us. However, that doesn’t mean Milwaukee faithful should jump ship during the rebuilding period.

It’s gonna be frustrating to watch the post-All-Star-break Bucks if they’re going to commit to the tank. You’re probably going to want to throw your remote at your TV screen after watching KPJ and Cam Thomas take turns chucking up prayers. But, it would also be fun to see Ousmane Dieng break out into a real NBA player. It will be exciting when Thomas goes for 45 points in a meaningless game in April. If/when Giannis comes back, it’s always an absolute pleasure witnessing his greatness.

At the end of the day, part of true fandom is riding with your team through thick and thin. The Bucks are in the thick, yes, but there’s plenty of joy to be found in it. Stick with this funky, occasionally irritating yet lovable squad and it will feel extra rewarding when they return to contender status one day.

At the end of the day, at least you don’t have to be a Kings fan.

Jase Richardson Just Sneakily Won the Trade Deadline

The 2026 NBA trade deadline was full of activity and surprises and could go down as one of the most exciting ones in recent memory. Winners and losers of the deadline will be the talk of the town in the coming days. Which teams made the best and worst moves? Which players will succeed or fail in their new situations?

This article is about a winner from the deadline, but not the kind you might think. Down south in the heart of Orlando, there’s a rookie who wasn’t directly affected by the chaos at all but is a big winner regardless. That rookie is Jase Richardson. Here’s why.

The Magic weren’t too busy at the deadline, but they did move off of Tyus Jones, shipping him to Charlotte. The team added Jones in free agency last summer, but he turned out to be a huge letdown of a signing. In 48 games for Orlando, Jones averaged 3.0 points and 2.4 rebounds on 34.2% from the field and 29.4% from three. The 29-year-old used to be one of basketball’s top backup point guards, but somewhere along the way he completely lost his magic, no pun intended. The only thing that kept him in the rotation was probably politics, honestly.

It took draft capital for Orlando to convince the Hornets to take on Jones, and Charlotte turned around and flipped the veteran to Dallas in short order. One more half season of poor play and Jones’ career could be over.

In his wake, Jones leaves 15.7 minutes of backcourt playing time free for the taking. Jase Richardson is undoubtedly licking his chops looking at that opportunity.

Richardson has already started to creep his way up the ladder in Orlando. In November, he was playing just 7.6 minutes per night, but that jumped up to 14.7 in December and 15.2 in January. With Jones out of the picture, he could easily see 20-25 minutes a game. He deserves that type of burn.

The Michigan State product has been really solid to start his career. He’s averaging 5.3 points (16.1 per 36) on 48/37/73 splits. That’s impressive efficiency for a first-year guard. His poise, confidence and feel stand out in the best way possible. Yes, he’s only played 35 games, but Richardson already moves like an old pro. He’s smaller in stature, limiting his defensive impact, but other than that, he’s the ideal guard for the Magic. They need as much offensive help as they can get. Richardson can be that spark.

What Richardson’s ceiling is remains to be seen, but the 20-year-old has already set the foundation for success in this league. Now, with more space to grow, he’ll be able to continue to cement himself as a prospect worth investing in. That’s why he’s walking away a winner from the trade deadline.

Don’t be surprised if Richardson’s name pops up more and more after the All-Star break. Hop on the bandwagon before it’s too late.

2025-26 Bench Mob All-Stars

Bench Mob Blog’s core mission has always been to show love to the unknown players whose stories and impact go unnoticed by the average fan. That’s why the Bench Mob All-Star tradition was created back in 2022. This is a tribute to the NBA’s best end-of-bench ballers, guys who have been making names for themselves this season in limited roles. This collection of undrafted rookies, former second-round picks and G League studs is proof that value can always be found on the margins if teams put in the work. The 2025-26 squad is one of most well-rounded and exciting ones to date, featuring many players who have had unique journeys.

Let’s meet the team.

(Note: Bench Mob Player of the Day is an award handed out daily via X to the bench mobber who had the best game the prior night. Follow @finleykuehl to keep up with the winners!) 

Caleb Love (Captain, 7x Bench Mob Player of the Day)

Too many high school and college stars fizzle out at the next level because they’re not willing to restart from the bottom and put in the extra grind. Caleb Love is determined to avoid that fate. Since going undrafted last June, the former NCAA All-American has been on a mission to prove that he belongs in the pros, and he’s been more than successful so far. Not only is the Blazers rookie having one of the best two-way contract seasons of all time, he’s also been one of the better freshmen in the league overall, an impressive feat considering how stacked this 2025 class is. Damian Lillard has taken Love under his wing and given him the nickname “Top-10 Pick,” and Love has really been playing up to that moniker. He ranks eight amongst rookies in PPG at 11.4 and fourth in total 3PM at 87. 

The Arizona product’s microwave scoring and competitive drive have been invaluable for a Portland team that has been bit by the injury bug this year. All in all, Love has planted the seeds for a fruitful career that many thought he wouldn’t be able to have.

Love is the second rookie to be named captain of the Bench Mob All-Star team, with Herb Jones being the first to do so in 2022.

Dru Smith (7x BM POTD)

The basketball gods have not been kind to Dru Smith. He went undrafted in 2021 and spent a full season in the G League before signing his first NBA deal. He started to gain some traction in the rotation with the Heat in 2023, but then suffered a season-ending ACL tear. In 2024, bad luck struck again in the form of an Achilles tear. Despite all his setbacks, Smith has kept his nose to the grindstone. Now, he’s finally healthy, and he’s been the best version of himself.

Smith has become part of Miami’s nightly bench unit, earning his keep with his defensive tenacity. He ranks fifth in the entire league in total steals on the season. The Missouri product smothers ball handlers and never runs out of gas. He’s also a useful piece offensively who creates advantages by getting downhill and touching paint. If the Heat make the playoffs this spring, expect to see Smith on the floor when it matters most.

This is Smith’s second Bench Mob All-Star appearance— he was also a member of the 2024-25 squad.

Jordan Miller (6x BM POTD)

The Clippers had a dumbfounding start to the season, but now they’re one of the hotter teams in hoops. They wouldn’t have the same level of positive momentum without Jordan Miller. The third-year forward is playing the biggest role of his career, averaging 19.3 minutes, and he’s helped Los Angeles climb back up the standings with his offensive craft and versatility. Miller’s bag inside the arc is a thing of beauty. He mixes in decels, Euros, fakes and crossovers to get to his spots and hit middies and layups. He’s a streaky but respectable three-point shooter, too. In some ways, the former second-round pick has helped the Clips replace Norman Powell in the aggregate, Moneyball style.

Miller was on a two-way contract in 2024-25, earned a conversion, but was then demoted back to a two-way over the summer. Now, he’s made it very clear that he deserves a full-time standard deal.

Jamaree Bouyea (6x BM POTD)

Bouyea has been a revelation for a Suns team that’s seriously overperforming. Phoenix dug the shifty guard, who has played for five other teams, off the scrap heap. They gave him the runway to succeed and he’s taken off. Bouyea has the ball on a string and shakes and bakes defenders to get buckets. He’s also a defensive disruptor who plays bigger than his size. The 26-year-old is posting career highs in points per game, field goal percentage and three point percentage. The Bucks undoubtedly regret waiving him in October.

Luka Garza (5x BM POTD)

Garza, a collegiate juggernaut, has found his niche in the NBA by scaling down and playing to his strengths. The big man’s post bag is as deep as the Pacific and he has uncanny touch for a guy of his size. He’s always been a per-minute monster who can fill up the scoring column in short spurts, but Boston has given him the chance to see more extended run. He’s scoring 7.7 points per game on excellent efficiency, all as a result of the unbelievable amount of work he’s put in behind the scenes.

Pat Spencer (4x BM POTD)

Pat Spencer is one of one. He’s an enthralling showman with braggadocious flair and the game to back up his smack talk. The 6’2” guard was actually a superstar lacrosse player before he joined the league, but you’d think he’s been dribbling a basketball since he was in the womb with how well he processes the game. Spencer is a smooth-as-butter fit in Golden State’s complicated system because of his IQ and motor. He’s genuinely taken over games this year, delivering clutch performances, and he’s done all of it while looking like a corporate employee, making him all the more loveable.

Nae’Qwan Tomlin (4x BM POTD)

Cleveland’s emerging spark plug, Nae’Qwan Tomlin, didn’t even play serious basketball until he got to college. Now he’s an impactful bench player in the best league on Earth. How is that even possible? Well, Tomlin was blessed with physical gifts and he knows how to use them. The Harlem native is lengthy and bouncy and he hustles non-stop. He puts himself in position to score easy points inside, and whenever he gets a catch on a cut, he’s looking to detonate on the rim. In just 17.1 minutes per game, he’s averaging 1.4 offensive rebounds, 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks. The Cavs as a whole haven’t consistently shown heart this season, but Tomlin always does.

Dylan Cardwell (3x BM POTD)

Nobody has more fun playing basketball than Dylan Cardwell. A smile never leaves his face when he’s on the floor. His celebration bag is bottomless. Some guys only show happiness like that when they’re having a big scoring night. That’s not true of Cardwell because he never has those. That’s right, he’s a rebounding and shot-blocking specialist (a phenomenal one at that), but he absolutely loves his thankless job. The rookie is breathing energy and joy into a lifeless Sacramento team. He’s going to stick around in this league for a long time.

Moussa Cisse (3x BM POTD)

Moussa Cisse is proof that counting stats are far from everything when it comes to player evaluation. Across his five year college career, he averaged a modest 6.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks. Those figures don’t exactly scream “NBA player,” but he’s popped at the highest level. The undrafted rookie’s towering frame, blanketing reach and explosive leaping ability make him a formidable rim protector and lob threat. There’s no razzle-dazzle to his skillset, but he still makes plays that make you exclaim out loud. He’s given the Mavericks some great minutes this season, making a case for a contract conversion, especially with Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively in street clothes.

For more on Cisse, check out this article.

Jabari Walker (3x BM POTD)

Dominick Barlow, who’s become a regular starter, has been the standout two-way story for the Sixers, but Jabari Walker is doing his thing, too. The rugged power forward is an enforcer on the glass, ranking third in offensive rebound percentage on Philly’s roster and fourth in defensive rebound percentage. He’s also a versatile defender who uses his burly frame to wall up and stop drivers in their tracks. Walker’s ruggedness has been key for the 76ers as they’ve quietly looked like dark horse contenders.

Walker was a member of the 2023-24 All-Bench-Mob Third Team, but this is his first All-Star selection.

Christian Koloko (3x BM POTD)

Koloko’s journey is one of persistence. He’s been through a lot in his young career, most notably a blood clot that kept him sidelined for the entirety of his sophomore campaign. Now fully healthy, he’s fighting to get back on track, but it hasn’t been easy. Two teams let him go this season alone: the Lakers and the Grizzlies. However, the Hawks have welcomed him with open arms since he joined them in January, throwing him right into the fire as a backup. He’s been a much-needed interior presence for Atlanta, notching 4.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per contest, looking almost every bit the player he was projected to be in the 2022 draft.

Zeke Nnaji (3x BM POTD)

Few teams have been hit harder with injuries as the Nuggets this year, but they’ve weathered the storm with strong contributions from their reserves. Zeke Nnaji, who’s a veteran for Denver at this point, has had some of the best stretches of his career, going toe-to-toe with the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid and coming up victorious. Once a stretch big, he’s transitioned into an opportunistic finisher and a quality interior defender. Maybe his contract isn’t so bad after all.