u/ya_ya_ya_

I don’t think this was too widely reported. The second round picks we gave up in the Dort deal are very protected, they’ll only convey if the pick falls in the last 5 picks. With the new lottery rules and the second round serpentining, for these to convey we’d have to be one of the 5 worst teams in the league.

No Risacher

Reminder - I'm making all these videos on Grinding Tape, which I created to let anyone watch tape and make scouting videos exactly like this one super easily. It's got every prospect and it's free, no ads, no registration. Give it a try.

I asked this sub who they'd like me to scout next, and the top answer was Darius Acuff (and Brayden Burries, who I'm doing next), with a focus on his defense. So I watched him defend for every single play in two games: against Tennessee and against a really dynamic Arizona team. You can see the results above: I noted 24 (!!!) poor possessions on defense, ranging from questionable to outright embarrassing.

To put it bluntly: this is some of the worst defense I've ever seen from a top prospect. Acuff is uninterested, lackadaisical, and fundamentally a mess. He gets roasted on the ball, loses his man off the ball, doesn't get back in transition, and doesn't offer help.

It's so bad that I actually wonder: is Acuff just mailing it in to try and avoid injury? Some people are concerned about him physically, but I don't think that's an issue at all. He's built like a tank and moves laterally just fine. And it's obvious from his offensive play that he has an amazing feel for the game. This is someone who could play defense. He just isn't trying.

I'm curious what you all think: from a draft perspective, does that make it better or worse? On one hand, you can imagine an NBA team getting him to buy in and get to least passable on that end. On the other hand, defense is mostly about effort and competitive spirit. If he can't be bothered in the run-up to the draft, why should we believe he's going to put in the work in the NBA, where he'll be matched up with much tougher competition?

Would love to get your takes. I have Acuff as a top-3 offensive prospect in this draft, but I really just don't know what to make of this defense.

8. Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans)

Aday Mara, C, Michigan
Junior

Combine measurements
Height without shoes: 7-3 | Weight: 260
Standing reach: 9-9 | Wingspan: 7-6

The Hawks' shrewd decision to trade the No. 13 pick (Derik Queen) in last year's draft for this one -- the better of New Orleans' and Milwaukee's selections -- didn't result in a top-four pick, but still moved them up five spots in a stronger draft. They will look at the bevy of young guards at this slot, a long-term need after moving on from Trae Young. If they want to upgrade at the five -- where they lack size and depth -- Mara has positioned himself as the likely first center off the board.

Mara has built momentum on the heels of Michigan's title run and is viewed by teams as a lock to hear his name called in the lottery. His massive dimensions help back up the argument for him as a player with an outlier-level mix of size, coordination and skill. He could wind up as the first Michigan player to hear his name called, above Yaxel Lendeborg.

LINK

It’s that simple, everyone’s favorite years for pop culture and sports are when they were a teenager.

Wordmarks for the Hawks' Association (white), Icon (black), Statement (red), and City (black) for next season.

Edit: MLK confirmed back!

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25363482-hawks-announce-mlk-city-edition-uniforms-will-return-2026-27-nba-season-video

If Celtics decide the experiment isn’t working, how much does it take to get Brown?