![\"X](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/https:\/\/pbs.substack.com\/profile_images\/1942267208928841728\/pTU7dugw.jpg\")
<\/p>\ngrizz901@topshot901<\/p>\n
@PAKA_FLOCKA Where do you rank the top PG prospects in 2026, and what weaknesses can you live with when looking at their development path?<\/p>\n
Acuff\u2014defense
\nWagler\u2014rim%
\nFlemings\u2014jumper
\nPhilon\u2014assist:TO
\nBrown\u2014consistency\/realizing potential<\/p>\n
1:32 PM \u00b7 Feb 12, 2026 \u00b7 21 Views<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
Kingston Flemings<\/p>\n
Keaton Wagler<\/p>\n
Mikel Brown Jr.<\/p>\n
Darius Acuff<\/p>\n
Labaron Philon<\/p>\n
The one I can live with the most is Fleming\u2019s, because the shooting development has been encouraging over the past 18 months. The mid-range pull-up has been a real counter to when teams play the drive. There\u2019s a real leap going on.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ll also add Brown here as someone I\u2019m keeping an eye on with the consistency\/potential angle. I fear he may be more Jordan Poole or Anfernee Simons than a franchise point guard, but if he stacks games like the ones the past week, he\u2019s a dynamic lead guard option with his size, pull-up shooting, and playmaking.<\/p>\n
The paradigm for small guards has shifted into a real degree, and for most readers of the Substack, it\u2019s seen with Ja Morant. Maybe this class shifts it a little bit \u2014 mainly with guys like Flemings, Acuff, and Christian Anderson.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s less about the talent and more about resource allocation. Teams are apprehensive about giving a max contract to small guards if there are concerns with defense or shooting \u2014 at least when it comes to the third contract, as the second one is always considered \u201cthe fun max.\u201d It creates a ceiling and forces teams to cater the team around those weaknesses. With apron rules and rising salary numbers, teams have to be more cautious in general about who\u2019s getting a max contract \u2014 we\u2019ll see this with other positions too. Nonetheless, these guys have the talent. The small guard archetype isn\u2019t dead, and I\u2019m intrigued with how they can potentially buck the stigma.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m going to go with two non-lottery players I\u2019ve grown to like more and more this draft cycle. Flory Bidunga\u2019s pick-and-roll prowess should translate seamlessly at the next level. He\u2019s an explosive leaper that has good awareness off the roll. I\u2019m enamored with his potential as a change-of-pace-5. Secondly, Aday Mara\u2019s passing will pop in some capacity. Frontcourt playmaking is critical in today\u2019s NBA. Whether it\u2019s as a backup or a starter, Mara has the passing creativity and vision to really add value in this capacity. Small spoiler to something I\u2019ve been working on.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
I\u2019ll answer the first one Friday.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s go off last ESPN\u2019s latest top 100<\/a>, even though that\u2019s technically a big board\u2026<\/p>\n Braden Smith is such an obvious bet to become a quality role player. He\u2019s been the best floor general in the country for his collegiate career. He will have a ceiling with his height. However, he\u2019s too smart and skilled to fail. He\u2019s an easy bet to have a decade-long career.<\/p>\n Zuby Ejiofor at St. John\u2019s is one of my favorite upperclassmen. He\u2019s undersized \u2014 and the finishing has been a concern here \u2014 but he\u2019s an absolute tank, and it triggers several areas. He\u2019s a major asset in the possessions game with offensive rebounding, screening, and stonewalling drives and post-ups defensively. He should be a backup big at the very least.<\/p>\n Tamin Lipsey at Iowa State is a menacing point-of-attack defender that can also take care of the ball at a high level. He can\u2019t shoot, but that hasn\u2019t stopped other guards in recent memory. This archetype has succeeded in this NBA \u2014 Jamal Shead with Toronto is a good example.<\/p>\n Tarris Reed Jr. at UConn has a phenomenal intersection of screening, rebounding, shot-blocking, and passing. He\u2019s another player that should flourish as a rock-solid backup big man.<\/p>\n Stuart Carter@StuartCarter33<\/p>\n @PAKA_FLOCKA Of all the players currently projected to be drafted in the second round, which one stands out to you as someone who will surprise in the combine and end up being a first round pick? <\/p>\n If the Grizzlies get the #1 pick, who would you like to see Zach Kleiman take?<\/p>\n 9:17 PM \u00b7 Feb 10, 2026 \u00b7 45 Views<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n I\u2019m going to use No Ceilings<\/a> Mock Draft for this exercise:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read more<\/p>\n 7 days ago \u00b7 22 likes \u00b7 4 comments \u00b7 No Ceilings<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Aday Mara, as mentioned above, has this awesome intersection of feel, rim protection, rebounding, and creativity. When teams get a closer look at his size with these skills, he could creep into the top 20.<\/p>\n Tyler Tanner is a buzzy name for this cycle, but I bet he returns with a nice NIL payday. Another probable return I\u2019ll add to this line: Alabama\u2019s Amari Allen \u2014 although he was 20 in No Ceilings, it\u2019s not exactly consensus yet. Dribble-pass-shoot-defend 6\u20198\u201d forwards are valuable commodities in today\u2019s NBA. If he surged into the lottery conversation, it wouldn\u2019t surprise me.<\/p>\n Allen Graves at Santa Clara is someone I\u2019m looking to study more over the next few months. He might be the most valuable player in the possessions game \u2014 rebounding, turnovers, and defensive events \u2014 in this draft. If he gets a combine invite, he can make serious noise.<\/p>\n Arizona\u2019s Ivan Kharchenkov can become a buzzy name if he shows out in tournament play. He\u2019s a 6\u20197\u201d Swiss-Army knife forward that can defend, generate steals, operate as a connector, and finish inside the arc. The shot is holding him back from being a full-fledged first-round prospect. However, he can shoot up boards if he continues to play a big role for an awesome Arizona team.<\/p>\n I\u2019ll answer the second one Friday.<\/p>\n Brother Kang@DawgNSports<\/p>\n @PAKA_FLOCKA Thoughts on Acuff? And does it make sense for Memphis to draft him?<\/p>\n 1:16 PM \u00b7 Feb 13, 2026 \u00b7 13 Views<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n I\u2019m higher on Acuff than Draft Twitter seems to be at the moment. As a side note, he\u2019s such a dynamic offensive player with his playmaking, shooting, and driving. He has the goods to be an NBA starting point guard \u2014 maybe a franchise one. His defense has been at the center of his analysis online. It\u2019s the development I\u2019m eyeing the closest with tournament time.<\/p>\n As a Grizzlies fit, if Memphis falls to 7-10 or trades up from the Magic\/Suns pick, I\u2019d totally be cool with Acuff. Isalo should be given credit for the development and production generated from the guard spot. With the emphasis on the pick-and-roll, Acuff should thrive in this system.<\/p>\n I have Baba Miller targeted for a closer watch in my post-college basketball season part of my study for my draft guide. He\u2019s taken meaningful steps as a defender, rebounder, and playmaker. Given his size with these skills, he can hear his name called on draft night.<\/p>\n I\u2019m high on Steinbach with his elite skill of offensive rebounding. He also has this intersection of skill and physicality \u2014 screening, passing, defensive angles, and a soft touch. I have concerns with his defensive viability because he\u2019s not entirely a perimeter defender or rim protector. In addition, he\u2019s not an outside shooter. Nonetheless, he\u2019s been incredibly productive dating back to pre-NCAA. He has a valuable elite skill in the possessions game, a key in this NBA. If he slips past the lottery, he\u2019ll outplay his draft position \u2014 although he should be more complementary than centerpiece, the best comparison would be an outcome of Steven Adams vs. an Alperen Sengun one.<\/p>\n Thank you to all who asked questions. I\u2019ll answer Grizzlies-specific questions for Friday\u2019s mailbag.<\/p>\n If you choose to support my Substack, SubTsakalidis \u2014 aka \u201cSubTsak\u201d \u2014 follow this link<\/a> to my Allie\u2019s Allies St. Jude fundraiser page. If you choose to subscribe, all proceeds will go towards St. Jude Children\u2019s Research Hospital.<\/p>\n Follow me on X<\/a> and Bluesky<\/a>. Subscribe to my YouTube channel, SubTsakalidis Scouting<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"X](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/https:\/\/pbs.substack.com\/profile_images\/1327424589945860098\/vPCHwKAR.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"X](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/https:\/\/pbs.substack.com\/profile_images\/1449830611791851525\/F4N58mCc.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/cf81ef32-00af-4eea-b06c-a9dd514aa333_1100.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/3b49d89a-2737-4da0-94df-c6375f24df60_712x.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n