Dallas Mavericks' Biggest Needs Ahead of 2026 NBA Draft

We could see a run of guards in the 5-to-10 range in this year's draft. The Dallas Mavericks have to hope at least one will still be available when they pick at No. 9.

Kyrie Irving is 34 years old and coming off a torn ACL. He no longer fits into a Dallas timeline that revolves around 19-year-old Cooper Flagg. The Mavs should still have hope that Dereck Lively II can become a franchise center and hope to pair their frontcourt with an elite young guard with what could be their last top-10 pick in a while.

Louisville's Mikel Brown Jr. and Houston's Kingston Flemings could be two names to watch here as Flagg's future running mates.

2025-26 Record: 26-56

Draft Picks: 9, 30, 48 

Luck

This draft class has long been forecasted as one loaded with superstar talent, but most experts see a drop-off after the third (or fourth) pick.

Of course, that doesn't mean they won't get a serious talent in the bottom half of the lottery. Every year, we see prospects outside the top five drastically outperform expectations. Heck, Jalen Brunson (who the Mavs once took in the second round) just won the Finals MVP.

Now, Dallas needs another high-end playmaking talent to slip to the ninth pick, where it can draft him alongside reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg.

Shooting

Perhaps more than anyone else on the roster, Flagg simply has to get better as an outside shooter over the offseason. He averaged a team-high 21.0 points this season, but he hit just 29.5 percent of his three-point attempts. If he stays around that level, it will be too easy for defenders to play him for the drive.

But Flagg isn't even 20 yet. There's plenty of time for him to figure out his three-point shot. In the meantime, he needs a couple of teammates who can reliably knock down the open triples he creates for them.

A healthy Kyrie Irving should certainly help on that front, but Dallas needs more than a 34-year-old coming off a torn ACL to address a three-point percentage that ranked 26th last season.

Youth

The Mavs could pretty easily justify running most of the roster back with Irving returning from his injury.

Surrounding Flagg with a supporting cast that was largely built for Luka Dončić could go a long way toward developing his point-forward skills. The veterans could help Flagg mature a bit quicker, too.

But the wiser long-term play may be flipping some of those veterans (like Irving, Klay Thompson or Daniel Gafford) for players closer to Flagg's age.

That'd likely bring more growing pains in 2026-27, but having multiple co-stars hitting their peaks at the same time as Flagg would do a lot more for Dallas' future than the current veterans can (some of whom may be done playing by then).