Mavericks poised to snag dream Cooper Flagg co-star next summer

The 2026 NBA Draft is not something that the Dallas Mavericks may be thinking about at the moment, as the team is trying to win games to get into playoff contention. However, that doesn't mean it's too early for draft projections for the upcoming draft. Mock drafts are starting to fly in, and the noise surrounding the Mavericks is only poised to get louder over the next few months. Especially if they decide to tank.

It's uncertain where the Mavericks will be picking in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft, considering the season is far from over, but there's a good shot that they end up in the lottery after a slower-than-expected start.

A new Bleacher Report article has the Mavericks picking 10th overall at the 2026 NBA Draft, predicting that they won't finish the season strong. However, the pick made by Dallas in this mock draft would be perfect for the Mavericks' roster as they look to build around Cooper Flagg.

Darius Acuff Jr. is the backcourt fix that the Mavericks need

Recently, Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman wrote an article titled "2026 NBA Mock Draft with Full 2-Round Predictions, Pro Comparisons." Wasserman had the Mavericks selecting Arkansas Razorbacks guard Darius Acuff Jr. with the 10th overall pick, with the NBA comparison to Stephon Marbury.

"Acuff has ultimately looked extremely well-rounded in terms of scoring with balance between drives, floaters and pull-ups," Wasserman said.

As a freshman this season, Acuff Jr. has been dominating through 11 games. Acuff Jr. leads Arkansas with 18.8 points and 6.1 assists per game. Acuff Jr. also has a consistent 3-point jumper (44.3 percent from three on 5.5 attempts per game) and plays within the flow of the offense rather than forcing shots. Mavericks fans need this type of guard on the roster desperately after being forced to watch D'Angelo Russell's polarizing play over the last few months.

Acuff Jr. is a key reason why Arkansas is 9-2 overall and ranked in the top 15 right now. He has already left an immediate, amazing first impression for NBA teams to pay attention to as SEC conference play quickly approaches.

Being compared to a player like Marbury is an honorable comparison for Acuff Jr. already. Marbury was a consistent 20-point scorer who could also add close to double-digit assists on a nightly basis during his 13 years in the NBA. Marbury's athleticism and quickness made him someone fans couldn't take their eyes off of, and Acuff Jr. would bring that to the American Airlines Center every night if Dallas somehow got their hands on him.

The Mavericks need a consistent scorer at the guard position who can shoot the ball with confidence and create smart shots for themselves and others, and that is where Acuff Jr. would fill that spot. With how he has played as a 19-year-old freshman, there's every reason to believe that he will be a great NBA player next to Flagg in Dallas. Flagg could score at an elite level at all three levels at Duke, just as Acuff Jr. is doing now, and they'd be a scary duo if they team up on the Mavericks.

If the Mavericks were to get Acuff Jr., they would be landing a combo guard to be Flagg's running mate of the future, joining Ryan Nembhard, Max Christie, and Dereck Lively II in the young core.

Outside of Nembhard and Brandon Williams, the Mavs' guard room is quietly pretty uncertain. If Kyrie Irving isn't the same after recovering from his ACL injury, or if Russell is traded by the Mavericks by the time the 2026 NBA Draft arrives, that is where Acuff Jr. needs to be considered to be drafted. Acuff Jr. has the potential to be a major upgrade over the guards they have now, and his stock should continue to rise if he continues to be this elite of a scorer on high volume.

"Acuff's production, efficiency and tape--which shows shiftiness off the bounce, touch finishing, three-level shot making and plenty of playmaking--should keep late-lottery and mid-first round teams from nitpicking," Wasserman said.

The Mavericks clearly need help in the backcourt, and a player like Darius Acuff Jr. has the skillset to thrive in Dallas. There is still plenty of time for players to rise and fall on draft boards, but Acuff Jr.'s rise as a freshman should at least have Dallas scouts intrigued.