Mavericks need to circle this rising draft prospect who is becoming the perfect fit

After just a few days at the NBA Combine, former Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings has become a fan-favorite draft target for the Dallas Mavericks at No. 9 in the 2026 NBA Draft. Not only did he impress during testing and shooting drills, but he also gave an excellent interview with the media on Wednesday.

Flemings' interview was filled with energy, insightful answers, and smiles. His personality shone through, but his answer when asked about what role player he has enjoyed watching most during the NBA Playoffs proves exactly why he'd be an incredible Maverick alongside Cooper Flagg.

"Cason Wallace," Flemings said. "He's a problem, and he's definitely one of the reasons OKC is so great... When I go to the NBA, I want to be like Cason Wallace. You know, any team I go to, if they need me to do that, I'm going to do what they need me to do."

This willingness to play a role is why he's trending toward being a dream pick for Dallas if they draft him.

Kingston Flemings is ready to embrace any role, and the Mavs need this

NBA fans were quick to criticize Flemings for wanting to be like Wallace rather than a star player, but this is the exact type of player the Mavs need. Landing a potential future star would be nice, but not everyone can be a No. 1 option. Dallas already has their fraanchise cornerstone with Flagg, and they need to bring in players who maximize his skills and value the same things he does.

Flemings fits this mold perfectly whether Mavericks fans realize it or not.

Most people were quick to count on Flemings' fit in Dallas due to his underwhelming measurements, but he has quietly positioned himself as a perfect option for the Mavericks due to his shooting, strong character, and defensive capabilities. He's rising up draft boards again after reclaiming his value after poor measurements, and it would be huge if he can fall to Dallas with the ninth pick.

He's ready to take on any role that his new team throws upon him, whether that means he's the team's top scoring option or the defensive stopper they need. This is why his desire to be just like Wallace is so appealing. Wallace has turned into a top-100 player in the NBA in Oklahoma City due to his hard-nosed defense and strong 3-point shooting, and he's the perfect 3-and-D guard.

His physicality and hands on that end help him frustrate opponents, and he has emerged as one of the best defenders in the NBA on a roster surrounded by several other defensive aces, such as Lu Dort, Chet Holmgren, and Alex Caruso. The Thunder haven't been the No. 1 seed for three years in a row by accident, and as Flemings said, Wallace is a key reason that OKC is one of the top teams in the league.

The Mavericks need more perimeter defense, and with Flemings' mindset, he's someone who would help fix that need right away. He is one of the best guard defenders in this year's draft, and he'd immediately become one of the team's most promising backcourt defenders if they draft him.

They need more defense around Kyrie Irving, and Flemings would have the chance to learn from one of the best point guards of this generation while also helping take a burden off Irving's shoulders on the defensive end.

Flemings' game is more than just hard-nosed defense

Along with Flemings' defense, he also has the potential to be a strong offensive player right away. He averaged 16.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game while shooting 47.6 percent from the field and 38.7 percent from downtown as a freshman at Houston, and his combine performance further proved that he's ready to step into an NBA offense.

His 3-point shooting was a concern heading into the pre-draft process due to his low volume as a Cougar (2.9 attempts per game), but he obliterated this narrative by a long shot. He was one of the strongest shooters in his group, which included Darryn Peterson, Darius Acuff Jr., Keaton Wagler, and other elite guards, showing that he should be a plus shooter at the NBA level.

His elite athletic testing and impressive shooting created some serious buzz at the combine, as he was one of the biggest risers on testing day.

Him exceeding expectations as a 3-point shooter right away would change everything for him, as he already proved that he's a mid-range assasin. A consistent 3-ball would cement him as a three-level scorer due to his incredible speed and ability to get to the rim, and his game is far more complete than he gets credit for.

He has the chance to be much better than Wallace at the NBA level, but if he can be that type of player right away, whoever drafts him will fall in love with his game. Flemings is an off-ball disruptor with great character, strong shooting, and elite speed, and he'd be an excellent pick for the Mavericks if he falls to them in the draft.

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