Mavericks' draft plan hinges entirely on other teams' decisions

The Dallas Mavericks will officially pick ninth in the 2026 NBA Draft next month, meaning they have to hope that the four teams in front of them from five to eight don't draft the guard that they want most. The top four seem like chalk. Some order of AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Caleb Wilson, and Cameron Boozer will go to the top four teams. Dallas doesn't have to worry about them. Five through eight is what they'll be eyeing like hawks on draft night.

This year's draft class is stacked at point guard, especially in the top 10. This is why this year's draft has been hyped for so long among Mavericks fans. Additionally, it's Dallas' one shot to find Cooper Flagg's co-star, considering they don't fully control any of their own first-round picks after this year until 2031.

The problem for the Mavericks? They'll be stuck taking the guard that other teams pass on (if they're set on drafting a guard to pair with Cooper Flagg). Dallas' backcourt was one of their many weaknesses last year with Kyrie Irving sidelined, and this year's draft class happens to be the perfect solution for this problem.

Why Mavericks fans should be rooting for bigs and wings to go early

Despite this, they don't have the luxury of getting to pick the best player on the board outside of the top four, as the LA Clippers do with the No. 5 pick. The Mavs have to see how things shake out elsewhere to determine who will be Flagg's new running mate, and having a wing or big man jump into the top eight would be massive for them.

If someone like Aday Mara or Yaxel Lendeborg gets selected before Dallas is on the clock, Mavericks fans will be jumping for joy. This would mean that one of Mikel Brown Jr., Kingston Flemings, Darius Acuff Jr., or Keaton Wagler would be on the board for them. These players seem like the top four point guards in this year's class, and one of the four teams in front of them from five to eight (Clippers, Nets, Kings, and Hawks) drafting a different position is exactly what they need.

The Mavericks would then get to pair one of these top guards with Flagg and Irving, and this is exactly what they need to kick off this new era. Each of these guards is unique in their own way, and they'd have the chance to learn behind Irving and lead the second unit until the 34-year-old guard passes the torch.

The NBA Combine could save Dallas' draft night

This week's NBA Combine should be telling of how this second week of players could shake out, and Mara's 7-foot-3 barefoot measurement, 7-foot-6 wingspan, and 9-foot-9 standing reach are already great news for Dallas. For reference, Victor Wembanyama's barefoot measurement conducted by the San Antonio Spurs after he was drafted was 7-foot-3.5. Mara's massive measurements are the exact thing that could make him a top-eight pick, and that's exactly what the Mavs need.

Wagler, Acuff Jr., Brown Jr., or Flemings would then fall right into their lap, and Dallas' duo of the future would be set.

Mavericks fans should be pulling for Lendeborg, Mara, and Nate Ament to have the best NBA Combine possible. This would shake up the draft board in front of them, making it much easier to get one of the star guards.

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