Mavericks' draft trade rumor presents chance to steal underrated 7-footer

The Dallas Mavericks have been "talking to other teams about what it would take to move up from No. 30" in the 2026 NBA Draft (subscription required), according to NBA insider Jake Fischer. This gives Masai Ujiri the perfect chance to steal underrated North Carolina big man Henri Veesaar from other teams picking at the end of the first round, such as the Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics, or even the Los Angeles Lakers.

Henri Veesaar should be Dallas' trade-up target

Each of these teams could eye a big man with their pick in the late 20s, and Veesaar would be a nice fit on any of these squads. The 7-footer provides floor spacing, finishing around the bucket, connective passing, and much more. Any contender would benefit from having a player who rebounds and shoots like him, and with Dallas' need for more 3-point shooting in the frontcourt, Veesaar would fit like a glove.

The Estonian big man averaged 17.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game last season at North Carolina while shooting 60.8 percent from the field and 42.6 percent from long range.

Most mock drafts have him going in the mid-to-late 20s despite his combination of size, skill, and shooting, but he seems like the type of player who could rise on draft night. He was even predicted to go in the early 20s earlier in the pre-draft process. It remains unclear how far the Mavericks would need to trade up to get him, but given how unique a prospect he is, trading up for Veesaar could end up looking like a huge steal.

There aren't many high-level floor-stretching bigs in this year's draft, and Veesaar's blend of scoring in the paint, strong catch-and-shoot 3-point shooting, and rebounding separates him from some of the other bigs who are predicted to go in this range. He has a good chance to be one of the most NBA-ready big men in his class as well, and he's flying too far under the radar after having a great season for the Tar Heels.

Veesaar checks every box for the Mavericks

Dallas needs all of the qualities that Veesaar brings as they look to build a young core around Cooper Flagg, and Veesaar would be an excellent complement to Dereck Lively II in the frontcourt. Veesaar would give the Mavs' offense a different look when Lively II is on the bench or out of the lineup due to his shooting, and he would help make up for what Dallas loses from Marvin Bagley III if he leaves in free agency.

The case to draft Veesaar is easy to see. He knocks down open shots, finishes well in the paint, protects the rim, rebounds, and loves dunking. The North Carolina product has all the qualities that a team should want from a rookie center, and he looks like someone who will be ready to have a role on day one.

Mavs securing him in the mid-20s would be highway robbery

He's 22 years old, which is likely part of the reason that he's mocked to go in the second half of the first round despite being extremely talented, but he's going to be a steal for whoever drafts him. Many of the teams picking at the end of the first round already have established cores, making their cases to draft him stronger than a team rebuilding and targeting younger players.

This is exactly why the Mavs should swoop in and rip him away from these teams, and trading up a few spots to select him would be a move that MFFLs would grow to love quickly. Dallas has needed a reliable big man who can space the floor, and Veesaar would address that need right away.

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