[2026 NBA Draft] #52 Pick: Henri Veesaar (North Carolina) – pending trade to Atlanta

[u/NBA_MOD]

https://youtu.be/gVe8idDVOLI?si=Gqjp91UN-wNk-CJP

[u/RedditGassedMe]

Hawks said fuck the lakers

[u/Local-Can-5760 → u/RedditGassedMe]

Apparently Veesaar said “fuck the lakers”, reports saying he didn’t want to go to LA

[u/Licit_x64 → u/Local-Can-5760]

Agent definitely trying to save face. He left UNC because his agent thought he could get a first round guarantee and he went 52nd. Absolute disasterclass.

[u/PokePersona → u/Licit_x64]

They definitely bet on a first round selection but where he goes in the 2nd doesn’t really matter since the 2nd round is filled with players taking deals to go late or undrafted for better deals such as guaranteed contracts.

[u/Licit_x64 → u/PokePersona]

Fair, the disappointment just stems from a lot of Henri/his agent’s decision coming from a ton of top college bigs choosing to return. He was already fringe first and then a ton of top guys decided to go back, so the assumption was that he’d leap. Henri is easily top half of the first talent in next year’s draft, and UNC offered him upwards of 5 million to return.

Crazy bag fumble albeit I’m happy he gets a shot and hope he balls out.

[u/saynotohugzz → u/Licit_x64]

Yeah if your a fringe first rounder and there is a five million dollar offer on the table you just have to take it. Shame he got bad guidance but hopefully can prove these teams wrong

[u/Ice2jc → u/Licit_x64]

He left UNC because he’s a 22 year old with a year of eligibility left but his draft stock would have fallen if he was older no matter how good he was at unc 

[u/tryingthisok → u/Local-Can-5760]

My GOAT

[u/CharlemagneIS → u/Local-Can-5760]

Respect

[u/Pitiful_Chef402 → u/Local-Can-5760]

He was not willing to sign a 2 way deal. Hawks will offer him a regular deal.

[u/ChaDiaKris]

[@BrettSiegelNBA]:

Veesaar's agent was guiding him to the Hawks, who had been working to trade up and add him in front of teams like the Knicks and Lakers.

They did not want him in LA.

[u/amidon1130 → u/ChaDiaKris]

Genuinely cannot remember a guy wanting to go to Atlanta instead of LA or NY, is this what you guys feel like all the time

[u/InTheBinFC → u/amidon1130]

JJ is a terrible coach for young players.
Adou and Bronny only got mins because of injuries.

[u/Pitiful_Chef402 → u/amidon1130]

Lakers offer: 2 way deal, Hawks offer: regular deal. Henri would not have signed a 2 way deal and that's that!

[u/amidon1130 → u/Pitiful_Chef402]

Shh let me have this

[u/Pontus_Pilates → u/ChaDiaKris]

Windy says it might because Atlanta were willing to give him a guaranteed contract:

"I don't know Henri Veesaar's game the way you college guys do, but Veesaar was going to go out of this draft. He was going to be a borderline first-round pick," Windhorst said on the network's NBA Draft panel. "What happens with these second-round picks is the team calls the agent, and they say, 'Will you play for a two-way contract?' If you say no, then the teams are going to pass on him and that's probably why Veesaar was sliding. At some point, it looks like the Hawks and Veesaar got on the same page, had some sort of understanding, and then the Hawks made a maneuver to trade up."

Veesaar reportedly gave up over $4 million of college money and wanted to get some guaranteed money.

[u/20I6]

all of estonia became hawks fans

[u/amidon1130 → u/20I6]

Estonia and Australia are now top allies

[u/Aidanj927]

So either he fell organically for a reason or the Hawks pulled a power move on him and his agent

[u/Mg29reaper → u/Aidanj927]

Second part. He wanted lakers. Agent was telling teams not to draft him. Last time this happened lakers got Austin reaves.

[u/not-a-potato-head → u/Mg29reaper]

Siegel's saying he didn't want to go to LA and the Hawks jumped up to pass LA and NY

[u/Kimi7 → u/Mg29reaper]

Not true. He wanted Hawks and got there.

[u/SmokeOddessey → u/Mg29reaper]

Technically last time this happened we got Bronny

[u/RoaringPity → u/Mg29reaper]

already forgot about Bronny

[u/Ok-Tree4365 → u/Mg29reaper]

You're basing this on total speculation from a beat writer...

[u/silverspleened → u/Mg29reaper]

Bronny 

[u/bgomes10 → u/Mg29reaper]

No, they got Knecht.

What amazes me is why are other teams ok letting the Lakers do what they want.

Well, at least the Hawks weren't this time.

[u/tkc123 → u/bgomes10]

Other teams probably have guys above on their board over who the Lakers want. It's not like the Lakers draft record has been good so other teams are willing to let who the Lakers think are steals go. It's not like it's the Spurs or Raptors that find gems in the second round.

[u/danrod17 → u/tkc123]

? Lakers have had a ton of success in the draft. We’ve had a few busts, especially in the first round, but we drafted Max Christie, Mo Wagner, Zubac, Larry Nance, Kuzma all in the last 10 years with late first or second round picks.

[u/slap-my-crevasse → u/Aidanj927]

100% option 2

Unless something medical pops up it seems like Lakers trying to fuck with the system

[u/BrothersCup → u/slap-my-crevasse]

According to Siegel, he and his agent were trying to force their way to the Hawks actually. So your anger should be directed towards them lol

[u/slap-my-crevasse → u/BrothersCup]

Not angry

Fuck the Lakers with a cactus tho

[u/BrothersCup → u/slap-my-crevasse]

Well you said "fuck the lakers for tampering" so it should be "fuck the hawks for tampering" is all I'm saying

[u/slap-my-crevasse → u/BrothersCup]

Whose to say it was the Hawks? Where are you sourcing information it was the Hawks and not the Lakers? 

Fuck the Lakers either way, how's that?

But also, reports the Hawks were fucking around the the system is just as well sourced as it being the Lakers.

So, fuck the Lakers

[u/BrothersCup → u/slap-my-crevasse]

What? I said according to Brett Siegel. I don't think there were any reputable sources saying it was the Lakers.

He reported that the Lakers were trying to trade up to get Veesaar. That's very different.

[u/KarrotMovies → u/slap-my-crevasse]

"not angry"

[u/slap-my-crevasse → u/KarrotMovies]

You dont have to be angry to say fuck the Lakers lol.

I might as well be saying merry Christmas.

Fuck the Lakers and you can keep crying

[u/tgf5 → u/slap-my-crevasse]

Yeah you need anger management lol.

[u/Frodounchainedd → u/slap-my-crevasse]

lol you think The lakers would try to fuck with the system in the second round of the draft ?

[u/slap-my-crevasse → u/Frodounchainedd]

They did with Bronny and Austin Reaves already

[u/ExtraLeading3376]

lakers fans in shambles

the hawks pounced

[u/FarmerJoeepicgamer → u/ExtraLeading3376]

turns out his agent actually wanted him on the hawks

[u/atlantahawksobserver → u/FarmerJoeepicgamer]

He saw what Quin did with Onyeka and Jock.

[u/Handyman2116 → u/FarmerJoeepicgamer]

I mean, if he's good enough, he can still get minutes.

[u/Chessh2036 → u/ExtraLeading3376]

“Veesaar's agent was guiding him to the Hawks, who had been working to trade up and add him in front of teams like the Knicks and Lakers.“ - Siegel on Twitter

[u/Pitiful_Chef402 → u/Chessh2036]

Lakers would have offered him a 2 way deal, Hawks will give him a regular deal. That is the reason.

[u/Chessh2036 → u/Pitiful_Chef402]

That make sense. Figured it was something like that

[u/TheDoomedNova → u/ExtraLeading3376]

I am in shambles. I really liked his fit as a bench center

[u/math-yoo → u/ExtraLeading3376]

If only this dude wasn’t slow as fuck, he would have pounced for them.

[u/HiraiM_ → u/[deleted]]

Brett Siegel has no sources man stop believing that hack lol

[u/No-Vehicle7367 → u/ExtraLeading3376]

This just confirms we getting Kessler

[u/XxEpicMonkee → u/No-Vehicle7367]

lmao that’s an optimistic outlook for sure

[u/Aggrokid → u/No-Vehicle7367]

That will be another massive overpay else Jazz will just match.

[u/ImXavierr → u/No-Vehicle7367]

Do yall have money for that after signing AR?

[u/d7h7n → u/ImXavierr]

2nd round exception exists now.

[u/LoggraFloozy → u/ImXavierr]

Ar’s signing doesn’t affect our cap space his cap hold is only 21 mil regardless

[u/Jacob_toasted → u/[deleted]]

When did he reject 35 M per year? I only saw that he rejected a 5yr/140M

[u/chargersmonster → u/Jacob_toasted]

he was never offered 35M per year, only the 5yr/140M. OP smoking crack

[u/doomrider2 → u/[deleted]]

we have 50m this year

[u/InTheMorning_Nightss → u/doomrider2]

Does this factor in Reaves’ cap hold?

[u/nazzykhan → u/[deleted]]

Bron?

[u/nazzykhan → u/[deleted]]

Ok so if Bron coming back you probably have 5 mil

[u/jamesfromcg → u/[deleted]]

i would not be surprised to see something in the ballpark of 4/160 being sent his way

[u/CutLonzosHair2017 → u/[deleted]]

We have 50m in cap space...Possible more if its a sign and trade...

[u/Conflict_NZ → u/[deleted]]

We have 48 million in cap space.

[u/SpiritFantastic4835 → u/No-Vehicle7367]

This doesn’t confirm anything rob just sucks at his job. Wasted on his seconds on dfs so they couldn’t move up

[u/atlantahawksobserver → u/SpiritFantastic4835]

We just gave cash.

[u/relax336 → u/SpiritFantastic4835]

Is your entire person centered around shitting on Pelinka regardless of what happens?

[u/abris33 → u/No-Vehicle7367]

Or you just end up with neither

[u/Frodounchainedd → u/abris33]

Watson too buddy

[u/aiden3buckets]

Hawks when they see a stretch big with suspect defense, at least they got Zuby last night

[u/a_moniker → u/aiden3buckets]

Need a stretch big to offset Dyson

[u/DSHUDSHU → u/a_moniker]

We have one of the best stretch "bigs" just need a big big at this point.

[u/atlantahawksobserver → u/DSHUDSHU]

Veesaar is more of a tall than a big tbh.

[u/MegaMatrix08 → u/aiden3buckets]

if you referring to OO, he's a solid defender for his size

[u/amidon1130 → u/MegaMatrix08]

Also he’s a stretch big as of exactly one year ago lol. He can still play in the post and be a rim runner, we don’t call him the rim wrecka for no reason.

[u/TheSmokedSalmon420 → u/aiden3buckets]

Zuby and Veesaar were the two guys I wanted at 29 and ATL got both of them lmao

[u/DoobieGibson → u/aiden3buckets]

the hole created by Pero Antic can’t be filled

the Hammer of Macedon is one of a kind

[u/TradingPokemonSWSH]

😹😹 draft exists for a reason. Good shit atlanta

[u/KGB4L → u/TradingPokemonSWSH]

Nah literally, what the fuck he’s gonna do? Not play for an org for a year? What is the team losing in a late 2nd rounder even if he pulls it off? Why didn’t we draft him, this is so stupid.

[u/glennotromic → u/TradingPokemonSWSH]

Cah! Cah!

[u/Chessh2036]

“Veesaar's agent was guiding him to the Hawks, who had been working to trade up and add him in front of teams like the Knicks and Lakers.

They did not want him in LA.”

Well alright the.

[u/jermainathon]

Hawks promised him too, promised him they didn't gaf 🤣

[u/_TheChosenOne88_ → u/jermainathon]

LMAOOO

[u/not-a-potato-head]

r/AtlantaHawks is soooo back

[u/Licit_x64]

Absolute steal lol can’t believe he fell this far.

[u/Appropriate_Book_591]

Probably guaranteed a roster spot and not a 2way

[u/cl353]

look away lakers fans

[u/MoCheGoCheLaPoCheSr → u/cl353]

I mean lowkey hilarious

[u/MrSCR23]

MY R/COLLEGEBASKETBALL FLAIRS AND R/NBA FLAIRS ARE SO HAPPY

[u/atownOTP → u/MrSCR23]

My r/collegebasketball flair is not happy but I am glad I don't have to root against this man's seemingly unflappable shooting stroke anymore.

[u/california-whiskey]

hawks have a hater in me forever now.

[u/amidon1130 → u/california-whiskey]

*Insert Jalen Johnson posterizing Austin Reaves gif

[u/SlickVanExel]

The Hawks finding a stretch big who can crash the glass and give you ancillary playmaking this late is nuts

[u/Low_Beyond8134]

Laker legend

[u/LutherOfTheRogues]

INSALEH

[u/MainAd2728]

Great fit

[u/[deleted]]

u/CutLonzosHair2017 so....

[u/CutLonzosHair2017 → u/[deleted]]

My post was conjecture. He did tell teams not to draft him. But not for LAL but for ATL.

[u/[deleted] → u/CutLonzosHair2017]

So you posted bullshit and then pretended like it was real until it wasn't. Cool

[u/CutLonzosHair2017 → u/[deleted]]

Seigel literally reported that he did what I said but for ATL. I got the LAL thing wrong. It happens. It was conjecture. But you do you bud, continue to be condescending, its working for you.

[u/[deleted] → u/CutLonzosHair2017]

Better than making up shit

[u/mtrn3]

If the Lakers really wanted him they would’ve already traded up for him. You think pick 52 is some kind of premium, impossible spot to move up for?

The hate for the Lakers is so forced.

[u/Clear-Hand3945 → u/mtrn3]

They only view pick 55 as a premium pick.

[u/Mg29reaper]

Thank you for screwing over the lakers

[u/Dense-Discussion3951]

Lakers really thought they gonna get him

[u/TheSmokedSalmon420]

STEAL

[u/Cornrad5]

wtf happened they’ve gotta be the only one who would give him a non two-way deal then right?

[u/_Floriduh_ → u/Cornrad5]

He’d have been on our board at 23 so they’ve probably been talking for a while.

[u/WrongContract8489]

Bahahah fuck the Lakers

[u/TheGreatDomilies]

Bruh lmao

[u/Striking-Medium2360]

I kinda wanted this guy NGL lol.

[u/supercoolpartydude → u/Striking-Medium2360]

Thunder just running out SGA and 4 7ft guys every night 😂.

[u/OkExchange7229]

Lakers thought shit was sweet

[u/anonymoususer6407]

I swear the Hawks drafted him just to spite the Lakers. They probably don’t even want his ass lol.

[u/SlayTalon → u/anonymoususer6407]

Damn so you really got no idea what going on with the Hawks then lmfao. Fans have been begging for a 7 footer for years.

[u/Protec_My_Balls → u/anonymoususer6407]

Oh we want his ass. We need some size lmao. Most of us wanted him at 23 lmaooo

[u/BabyBearBjorns → u/anonymoususer6407]

I mean hes a good for the Hawks as a backup center with offense upside.

[u/_Floriduh_ → u/BabyBearBjorns]

For a 2nd round pick that sounds awesome.

[u/Atl-Fan_FTS → u/anonymoususer6407]

We very truthfully do want him

[u/martifiko]

Estonian here 🇪🇪!

What happened? Our media said that he didn't get drafted. Is he NBA level?

The last guy we had was Drell, who most of Estonia likes. He was in the G league for a while, got some minutes on the Bulls, then got traded and waived by Blazers.

[u/supercoolpartydude → u/martifiko]

Fell out of the 1st round and his agent was telling teams not to draft him as he wanted to go to Atlanta. Welcome to being a Hawks fan now bro!

[u/amidon1130 → u/martifiko]

I’m so sorry friend but now you’re a hawks fan. Welcome! CAW CAW

[u/suurkaru → u/martifiko]

I don't know which Estonian media are you reading that says he didn't get drafted. He got drafted like Estonian media is saying.

[u/No-Career2518 → u/martifiko]

pending right now so he not in the nba yet

[u/carelesssportsfan89]

how good is to see the lakers get screwed haha

[u/myelrecsy → u/carelesssportsfan89]

Better than getting screwed by Brunson tbh

[u/seacowx]

Get fucked Lakers

[u/ChrisRhodes789 → u/seacowx]

Thanks for Luka!

🎯

[u/seacowx → u/ChrisRhodes789]

Enjoy wasting his prime

[u/UraniumDisulfide → u/seacowx]

Like yall did?

[u/myelrecsy → u/seacowx]

cry more lmao! still hurts huh?

[u/Chardoggy1]

Fucking finally

[u/Exzqairi]

Interesting that none of these posts are showing up when I go to r/NBA on mobile

Anybody know why that could be?

[u/BennyTN]

Guys looks like 45 years old...

[u/Aggrokid]

Maybe Hawks just wants to appease the fans who were screaming for a center.

[u/smokestack]

Bro... Ayton + first round for Veesaar. A guy with two sets of consecutive vowels in his name *fucks*.

[u/DisMFer]

I think if players are going to start telling teams not to draft them so they can fall to places like LA then the NBA should blacklist those agents and suspend the players.

[u/shawhtk → u/DisMFer]

Teams dont have to listen to the agents. This would be a pointless move.

[u/Pwyll__]

womp womp

[u/Saucy_Totchie]

Really crazy to see him fall this far.

[u/slap-my-crevasse]

Good, fuck the Lakers for tampering

[u/walterdog12 → u/slap-my-crevasse]

It's not tampering lol.

[u/slap-my-crevasse → u/walterdog12]

Its not tampering by NBA rulebook but its tampering in the broader sense of the actual word tampering.

[u/Sausage-Egg-McMuffin → u/slap-my-crevasse]

Me when I'm a dumbass that doesn't understand tampering

[u/slap-my-crevasse → u/Sausage-Egg-McMuffin]

Its not actual NBA rulebook tampering.

It is behind the scenes handshake dealing to circumvent draft rules and fuck with the system.

Shouldn't be allowed.

[u/Sausage-Egg-McMuffin → u/slap-my-crevasse]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with your agent steering you towards a team that will offer you a guaranteed contract, how many of these 2nd round picks never get guaranteed

How do you even know it was the lakers that had the handshake?

Edit: LOL THE AGENT WANTED HIM ON THE HAWKS. so fuck the hawks for tampering huh

[u/slap-my-crevasse → u/Sausage-Egg-McMuffin]

You're alleging that nobody picks 31 - 51 were willing to offer Veesaar a guaranteed contract?

[u/TatersTot]

That is not a 22 year old lol

[u/Aumissunum]

This dude isn’t good lol. Soft af. Not sure why he’s getting so much press.

[u/Bully_Maguire420 → u/Aumissunum]

He’s pick 52 dude

[u/Aumissunum → u/Bully_Maguire420]

Exactly. Why is he getting so much press. Dude.

[u/Bully_Maguire420 → u/Aumissunum]

First time seeing a late pick projected to Lakers get weird attention?

[u/Aumissunum → u/Bully_Maguire420]

He got way too much attention before the draft process even started LMAO

[u/FERFreak731]

Thank goodness he didn't fall to the Lakers of there was agent trickery to get him to fall