Mavericks' trade-down rumors can still lead them to many fans' favorite draft target

The NBA Draft is three days away, and the Dallas Mavericks are considering every option.
One idea they're considering is to trade back in the draft, as Dallas is in total rebuild mode as they look for new young players to pair with Cooper Flagg. The team should try to acquire multiple draft selections in the first round to make up for their lack of future draft selections. They don't have full control over any of their own future first-round picks until 2031.

If Dallas were to trade back in the draft, they could still aggressively target Brayden Burries despite many mock drafts having Dallas selecting him with the No. 9 pick. The Arizona guard is projected to be a mid to late lottery selection, opening the door for the Mavs to draft him, even if they traded back. This would give them the best of both worlds, as they'd land an elite guard that Mavs fans already adore in Burries, along with additional draft capital to address other needs.

Not to mention, teams set to pick between nine and 12 could easily select a young wing like Nate Ament or a dominant center like Aday Mara.

Teams like the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, and Oklahoma City Thunder, who are picking 10th, 11th, and 12th, need frontcourt help more than they need guard depth (outside of Milwaukee), so it's easy to see them go after prospects like Yaxel Lendeborg, Ament, and Mara. Assuming this is the case, then Burries could still land with Dallas if they trade back.

Why trading back is a reasonable option for the Mavericks

The Mavericks currently own the ninth and 30th picks in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft. It's an opportunity that should excite Mavs fans since the organization is trying to build a stable roster around Flagg for the future. Simply, the idea of multiple first-round selections will allow Dallas to address offseason needs such as shooting and perimeter defense.

Yet, Dallas could still have the option of adding another first-round pick if they were to trade back. The Mavs are keeping their options open regarding their draft selections. This means they could easily trade up or down in the draft, while still acquiring young talent.

This leaves the door open for Dallas to acquire fan-favorite guard Brayden Burries. Both sides have expressed curiosity in linking up, as Burries' camp has expressed interest in playing for the Mavs. It's an opportunity that would be a match made in heaven, as the Arizona guard has the intangibles to solve some of Dallas' major weaknesses.

However, the dream scenario won't be possible if another team drafts Burries before the Mavs are on the clock. Dallas risks the young prospect getting selected sooner, or another team picking him if they trade back. This idea, though, could be debunked if teams picking nine through 12 focus on needs like wing depth and the center position. Hardly any mock drafts have teams before nine selecting Burries either, making Dallas' potential path to him even clearer.

So, it's still very possible Burries could be a Maverick if Dallas trades back to a spot near the end of the lottery. There is no guarantee that he is a top-10 pick, as the draft is full of talent.

Burries would help solve Dallas' biggest weaknesses on offense

The idea of Arizona guard Brayden Burries in a Mavericks uniform should excite Dallas fans, and many MFFLs have fallen in love with his game over the last few weeks. He is a top-skilled prospect who can easily improve the Mavs' roster. His shooting and perimeter defense make him the ideal candidate to pair alongside Kyrie Irving, as the two of them would form a strong backcourt.

His shooting, for instance, is off the chain. Last season, he shot 39.1 percent from downtown. Burries showcased his shooting during the NCAA Tournament, helping Arizona advance to the National Championship. The Arizona guard shot lights out during the tournament, making 51.7 percent of his attempted 3-pointers.

Burries' long-range success would deeply elevate the Mavs' offense. Dallas was one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the league during the 2025-26 season. They ranked near the bottom in multiple shooting categories, and if they added Burries, he would easily help solve the issue.

Burries' fit on the Mavs goes far beyond just shooting

Plus, his defense can't be ignored. The Arizona prospect enters the draft with a 6-foot-6 wingspan, weighing 215 pounds. This means he is easily interchangeable, as he has the frame and strength to guard multiple positions. Burries guarded players well at Arizona, and he wasn't afraid to make things difficult for opposing scorers.

It's obvious that Brayden Burries and the Dallas Mavericks would be a great pairing. The draft prospect can easily be a productive player for a Mavs team hoping to add complementary players around Cooper Flagg. He is someone Dallas should have high on their draft board, as they could still select him if they traded back in the draft.

Burries' camp has been extremely interested in him being drafted by Dallas, and they could attempt to force his way to the Mavericks, regardless of where they are on the board. This is what Klutch, Burries' agency, did with Dereck Lively II in 2023, and the Mavs were still able to get their guy. The same thing could happen with Burries this year.

Mavericks fans can only hope the organization makes the right decisions on Tuesday. The team's future depends on it.

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