Mavericks' 'worst fit' claim for 2026 NBA Draft is completely overblown

Bleacher Report recently listed the Dallas Mavericks as the worst landing spot for Houston guard Kingston Flemings in the 2026 NBA Draft. Despite Zach Buckley's reasoning for this being valid, which includes his fit in the backcourt next to Kyrie Irving and low 3-point volume, Flemings would actually be a strong fit on the Mavericks.

Dallas needs all of the point guard help they can get after seeing Ryan Nembhard and Brandon Williams run the show all of last season, and Flemings would be a significant upgrade over both of those guards. He averaged 16.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game as a freshman at Houston while shooting 47.6 percent from the field and 38.7 percent from downtown.

Why Kingston Flemings' shooting concerns are overblown

Those are excellent numbers for a freshman guard, and even though he only shot 2.9 3-pointers per game last season, there's a reason for optimism that his shooting will translate to the next level. He shot 84.5 percent from the free-throw line, and this is usually a good indication of shooting touch. His mid-range jumper is also automatic, and he won't be the shooting liability that some people project him to be at the next level.

His performance at the NBA Draft Combine further proved this notion, as he was excellent in the 3-point star drill.

The Mavs definitely need more 3-point shooting, and Flemings is someone who can help them in this area rather than make them worse. His unorthodox release is a reason for concern, but players with strange releases can still turn into strong shooters in the NBA. Just look at Tyrese Haliburton.

Flemings' athleticism is elite

Along with his strong shooting in Chicago at the combine, he also showed off his athleticism with a 40.5-inch maximum vertical leap. His speed in the open court is one of the many reasons that Dallas should be targeting the 6-foot-3 guard.

Flemings has a lightning-quick first step, allowing him to blow by his defender before finishing at the rim, pulling up for a mid-range jumper, or finding an open teammate. He is one of the fastest guards in this year's class, and his athleticism and transition game paired with Cooper Flagg would make for some monster slams in transition.

Flagg needs players around him who like to push the pace in transition, and this wouldn't be a problem with Flemings.

Why Dallas' defense needs a player like Flemings

On the other end of the floor, Flemings has what it takes to help Dallas turn their perimeter defense around. The Mavericks struggled to contain opposing point guards last season, and Flemings would help clean this up right away.

Kelvin Sampson's guards typically turn into excellent defenders at the next level, and Flemings should be no different. His athleticism and instincts combined with his competitiveness make him a menace on defense, and while his size makes him a suspect fit with Irving, Masai Ujiri and company shouldn't be too worried about fit in this year's draft unless it's around Flagg.

Mavericks would get real long-term value if they draft Flemings

Dallas doesn't want to trade Irving despite other teams calling him, but at the end of the day, he's 34 years old and coming off an ACL tear. There's a chance that the Mavericks elect to move on from him before his contract expires, and even if they don't, Flemings could learn alongside him and be a perfect backup point guard until he's ready to enter the starting five.

The narrative that Flemings would be a poor fit in Dallas is a bit overblown, and it would be a major steal if he's still on the board at pick nine. He has the potential to develop into a star, and if the Mavericks draft him, they'd be getting a great locker-room guy who loves winning, plays hard-nosed defense, and has one of the best mid-range jumpers in the draft.

Fit isn't everything for a young team like Dallas that will likely look completely different in a few years, and even if it were, Flemings would be a strong fit in the young core alongside Flagg.

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