Mavericks' perfect second-round target is waiting for them after stellar round 1

The Dallas Mavericks had an incredible first round of the 2026 NBA Draft by selecting Morez Johnson Jr. with the No. 9 overall pick and later trading up to draft Sergio De Larrea with the No. 25 pick. Johnson Jr. gives Dallas physicality, rebounding, and elite defense, while De Larrea gives them a jumbo playmaker with lead guard potential. Night one of the draft was a home run for the Mavericks, and they can make this draft even better by drafting Duke's Isaiah Evans in the second round.

Isaiah Evans is the perfect trade-up target for Dallas

Evans is easily one of the top players remaining on the board after the first 30 picks last night, and the Mavs would certainly have to trade up to get him. He was widely expected to be a first-round pick before the draft began, and with shooting being a commodity for any team, Evans will likely be one of the first players off the board tonight.

Could this package to move up for Evans include Daniel Gafford? Will they elect to move on from Klay Thompson in a multi-team trade? Both players have been in trade rumors this summer, and moving on seems logical for a team trying to build around a 19-year-old player.

There are multiple possibilities that the Mavericks could explore to move up in the second round, but with their future second-round draft capital being limited after trading two future second-round picks to move up for De Larrea, Mike Schmitz and Masai Ujiri are going to have to get creative if they want the second-year sharpshooter from Duke.

Dallas interviewed Evans at the NBA Draft Combine, showing a level of interest in the 3-point marksman, and they could capitalize on this interest later tonight.

Evans' shooting would give the Mavs' offense the spacing it needs

Even though De Larrea will help the Mavericks fix their shooting, Evans is a much more advanced 3-point sniper who would immediately become one of the better shooters on the team. His specialty was shooting during both of his seasons as a Blue Devil, and he shot 38 percent from three on 5.8 attempts per game. This is extremely high volume for a collegiate player, and he'd be the perfect pick as Dallas begins the Dusty May era next season.

Last season, the Mavs were among the worst 3-point shooting teams in the NBA. They were in the bottom five of the league in 3-pointers made and attempted, and 3-point percentage, and their offense suffered immensely because of it.

Flagg didn't have the proper driving lanes to get to the basket due to the lack of spacing his teammates provided, and Evans would help alleviate this problem right away. He did this during his freshman season while playing with Flagg, and his offensive game expanded even more during his sophomore year.

His lightning-fast release, limitless range, and calculated off-ball movement would command the attention of opposing defenders, allowing for Flagg and Dallas' other slashers to feast inside. Even when he isn't letting it fly, Evans' impact is felt on the floor due to the gravity he forces on the defense.

A trade-up for Evans isn't impossible

The price that the Mavericks would have to pay to move up into the 30s is unclear, but with the Memphis Grizzlies and New York Knicks shopping the first two picks of the second round, there's a chance that Dallas takes another swing in one of the most crucial drafts in franchise history.

Dallas has the No. 48 pick to dangle in these conversations, along with multiple valuable veterans, and we could see these assets be centerpieces in a potential deal that helps the Mavericks trade up to select Evans. This would be a dream selection after how well Dallas drafted last night, as he would fit their new timeline and provide the offense with what it was missing last season, and Mavericks fans can only hope that Showtime Slim is a Mav this time tomorrow.

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