NBA Draft 📊🎞️ | Editor @swishtheory | Former @thestepien

Joined March 2021
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This is my favorite column every year, where I go deep on my evaluatory framework. It was a fun cycle.
NBA draft projection is far from a perfect science, with endless ways to evaluate a prospect. @DraftPow reflects on his process with his annual column: Lessons from a Draft Cycle. Check it out below! ⤵️
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my past “false ceiling” answers were kon knueppel and jared mccain and, not to keep doing the duke thing, but the 2026 answer is so obviously cam boozer is kingston becoming a false ceiling guy? dailyn swain?
Let’s do this again…year 6: Who’s your “false ceiling” pick? Consensus says they are a future role player at best, but you think they have sneaky star upside.
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2026 NBA Draft Board 1.0 Ask me anything about prospects, rankings, etc. Final board expected on June 23rd, with top 60
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Finn (@FinnDraft), Nile (@NileHoops), and Avi (@100guaranteed) pick who they think will be selected by each team based on GM history, intel, and more. Hear their thoughts on the best player-team fits within the T3, Mikel Brown Jr as a Clipper, and more. Links to all podcast platforms below 👇:
Today, Finn (@FinnDraft) and Nile (@NileHoops) answer some questions asked by listeners via Twitter. Hear them answer questions such as “If you only had access to 3 Data points ( like ft%, height, dunks etc….) to evaluate a prospect, which ones would you choose?”, “Anything you’ve seen from these playoffs that is influencing your board or draft philosophies?”, and “What prospect are you the most worried about being wrong about and why?”. Links to all platforms below.
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Let’s do this again…year 6: Who’s your “false ceiling” pick? Consensus says they are a future role player at best, but you think they have sneaky star upside.
23 Jun 2025
Year #5 for this prompt - who’s your “false ceiling” pick in this draft? Someone called relatively low ceiling or a floor play you think has deceptively high ceiling
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For me, I just can’t rule out Yaxel coming out shooting like he did this year and operating well as a PNR handler, which could make him a very good starter quickly
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Deeper cut for me is Tamin Lipsey, an in-his-role star and future playoff closer
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Replying to @DraftPow
Star: Yaxel, Mara OG-type of Impact: Ugonna, Miles, Stirtz, Brazile in general high floor players always have higher ceilings than low floor
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Replying to @DraftPow
Boozer is definitely an answer. Big media says he’s maxed out and low upside. Burries has gotten “jack of all trades, master of none” ancillary type hype but think there may be more here. Yax - development curve never seen before, don’t care how old he is. TREVON BRAZILE.
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Replying to @DraftPow
Zuby
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An insurance company is trying to kill my life partner. Felt it was appropriate to write down the rage I feel
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🚨NEW WORDS ALERT🚨 In order for the San Antonio Spurs to flip this series, they need to get Victor Wembanyama rolling. Literally. On the Knicks' high tags, the many PnR variations we've seen, Wemby's screening direction *and* distance, and much more. sports.yahoo.com/nba/article…
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There are just so few players who have proved ball go in hoop better than Bruce Thornton. All while playing mistake-free basketball. Doesn’t get to the rim like Brunson, but still shot 64% from two this season with over 80% unassisted.
Watching Brunson succeed makes me think someone should draft Bruce Thornton in the mid 1st and worry about the rest later.
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excited to release this behemoth of a piece, co-authored by the founding members of @thehwcollectlve this is just the beginning.
Start with our debut piece down below, an all-encompassing analysis of Kingston Flemings' fascinating pre-NBA profile. We break down Flemings' playstyle trajectory, shooting projection & explore why his excellence in a regimented system is indicative of NBA stardom.
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In the 1999 NBA Finals, a veteran Knicks squad tried to stop an up-and-coming Spurs dynasty. History may not repeat itself, but it sure does like to rhyme. Here’s what I’m watching for in the 2026 NBA Finals: medium.com/@AboveTheBreak/20…
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Agree with @ChuckingDarts: Yaxel’s improved exactly as you’d hope for a player in their age 22 to 23 seasons. Now an 82% FT shooter. Also now deadly shooting as a pick and roll ball handler. There are few his age who could’ve contributed as well & in as many ways as Yaxel did
Why Yaxel Lendeborg Should Go Top-10 Atypical age curve case 3.0 A/TO 7'4" Wingspan Plays both sides of the ball Improves every year by adding skill "Top-10 pick to me" - @ChuckingDarts 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 @SwishTheory Most Underrated 2026 NBA Draft Prospects
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on Labaron Philon's unusual, effective scoring style: "Philon, to me, has the most appealing scoring package of any of these guards right now. He is so confident." -@ChuckingDarts on 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥's Most Underrated 2026 NBA Draft Prospects @SwishTheory
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🚨 Fresh Bonus YKB 🕺 The Jared McCain game 🧠 2026 draft prospect deep dive with @slipthescreen 🤷‍♂️ Prospects were split on 🏀 Swain, Graves, Stirtz & other mid to late first round “steals” Tap in below ⬇️
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Chucky Hepburn had a positive season combining elite ball management, high-pressure point of attack defense, three-point volume He shares similarities with Jordan McLaughlin in terms of frame and statistical output as GLeague rookies Could he be the next successful small guard?
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