Mavericks caught sleeping as Cooper Flagg's Duke teammate slips to Timberwolves

The Dallas Mavericks desperately need to add more shooting around Cooper Flagg, and they missed the perfect chance to do so on Wednesday night during the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft. Duke's Isaiah Evans was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the No. 33 pick, the third pick of the second round, after shockingly slipping out of the first round last night. Dallas' decision not to trade up allowed a player who would've been a spectacular fit to go elsewhere.

It's unclear what the Mavericks would've had to give up to move up for Evans, but with several tradeable veterans and the No. 48 pick, they could've at least made a run to trade up for him. Unfortunately for Mavericks fans, one of the nation's top shooters will be teaming up with Anthony Edwards in Minneapolis.

Isaiah Evans slips to Minnesota despite obvious Mavericks fit

Minnesota is already one of the best teams in the West, reaching the Western Conference Finals in two of the last three seasons, and adding another shooter to their bench is a home-run move for Tim Connelly and company.

The Timberwolves' shooting slipped during the playoffs, with only three other teams making fewer threes per game. They needed another shooter to pack a punch, and that's exactly what Evans can do.

The Mavs needed shooting worse than the Timberwolves, though, after ranking 26th in 3-point percentage last year, and they missed the chance to add a player who could've helped revamp this area of the roster.

Dallas should've traded up to steal the 3-point marksman

Multiple teams were shopping their early second-round picks, and the Mavs were caught sleeping by not making a move to select the 6-foot-6 sharpshooter. He met with Dallas during the NBA Draft Combine, and his potential role playing with Flagg, Morez Johnson Jr., and Kyrie Irving was easy to see.

Evans shot 38 percent from three on 5.8 attempts per game during his two seasons as a Blue Devil, emerging as one of the best shooters in the country. He would've been a flamethrower off the bench for the Mavs, giving them an elite shooter to add to their young core. Dallas prioritized defense and versatility with the Johnson Jr. pick, and Evans brings an offensive punch the Mavs need.

He has an extremely fast release and elite range, and he's the definition of a volume 3-point shooter. Evans is never afraid to let it fly, even with tight defense, and his confidence is what makes him so special.

Evans would've helped address the Mavs' shooting problem

Dallas' floor spacing was one of their biggest weaknesses last season, as they ranked in the bottom five in 3-pointers made, 3-pointers attempted, and 3-point percentage. They weren't taking or making enough threes, and Masai Ujiri has already said he'd like to add more shooting next to Flagg as he retools this Mavericks roster. Evans would've been a perfect solution to their 3-point woes, and his experience playing with Flagg for one season would've made this transition easy for the former Blue Devil.

Evans and Flagg helped Duke reach the Final Four during their one season together, and Evans was open about his interest in reuniting with Flagg when asked about the Mavs during the combine.

"It would be awesome to play with Cooper (on the Mavericks)," Evans said. "I played with him for a year. I think I know where I can help him at, what spots I need to be at. He's a really good player, so I'd love to be able to complement him and help him on his journey."

He would've opened up the floor for everyone, and Dallas would've had their Klay Thompson replacement once his contract expires next summer. "Slim" was easily one of the best potential fits for the Mavs of players drafted in the second round, and since they didn't move up, the rich got richer in Minnesota.

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