Mavericks should use a draft trade escape plan to protect the Flagg era

One year after the Dallas Mavericks won the lottery despite a 1.8 percent chance at the top pick, new Team President Masai Ujiri did not receive the same luck this draft. Armed with the ninth pick, Cooper Flagg, Kyrie Irving, a talented supporting cast, and the 30th pick, Ujiri has a challenging path ahead: he must maintain a successful franchise with no real draft capital for the foreseeable future.

Talented players are always available at the No. 9 spot, such as former ninth picks Collin Murray-Boyles and Zach Edey in 2025 and 2024, but there are plenty of disappointing players found as well, such as Taylor Hendricks and Jeremy Sochan in 2023 and 2022. While Ujiri is revered for his decision-making in the front office, perhaps best illustrated by drafting Murray-Boyles last year while with the Raptors, there is simply a weaker talent pool this late in the draft.

If Ujiri doesn’t believe the player he needs will be available at nine, he could package this pick with the 30th overall pick to move into the 5-8 range, where more exciting and complete prospects lie. This escape plan could be what the Mavs need to guarantee that they draft a high-level guy in the lottery.

This is the Mavs’ best chance of finding Flagg’s co-star of the future

Ujiri doesn’t necessarily have to add Flagg’s future co-star in this draft. With Kyrie Irving running the point, P.J. Washington manning the wing, and Daniel Gafford or Dereck Lively II down low, the Mavs have the talent to be competitive and grow as Flagg develops. Dallas could also have cap space when Irving’s contract expires in 2029, giving the team the flexibility to potentially make a splash in free agency or the trade market.

But without fully controlling any of their own first-round picks until 2031, this summer looks like Ujiri’s best opportunity to find the future co-star to pair with Flagg. If he doesn't, Flagg could be stuck without a running mate in a crucial season. This is the last thing Dallas needs after losing 56 games last season, and drafting him a sidekick is exactly what they need to start the Flagg era strong.

The 2026 draft is considered a deep and talented pool, with players like Kingston Flemings, Keaton Wagler, Aday Mara, Yaxel Lendeborg, and Mikel Brown Jr. all boasting star potential outside the projected top-four picks.

The dust is still settling on the draft process as front offices evaluate their options, considering the new lottery outcomes and combine information, making it difficult to project which prospects will be available at the ninth pick today. As draft day draws closer, however, Ujiri will have a solid understanding of whether a prospect to his standards will be available for Dallas to select.

If the right guy isn’t available at nine, Masai needs to pull the trigger and trade up to ensure the Cooper Flagg era is in good hands moving forward.

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