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Arizona guard Brayden Burries (5) dribbles during the first half in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Purdue, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo\/Godofredo A. V\u00e1squez)<\/p>\n
Godofredo A. V\u00e1squez\/AP<\/p>\n
There is less than a week until the 2026 NBA draft, and the Mavericks<\/a> still don’t have a coach, but they’ve hosted plenty of prospects in Dallas ahead of one of the most pivotal events of the offseason.<\/p>\n Masai Ujiri<\/a> and Mike Schmitz<\/a> will enter their first draft together with three picks at their disposal, none more important their No. 9 selection. Here’s our final mock draft of the offseason:<\/p>\n 1. Washington Wizards<\/p>\n AJ Dybantsa, freshman forward, BYU<\/strong><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Cooper Flagg<\/a> was the consensus No. 1 pick last year. It’s not as clear in this cycle, with Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson vying to become the first name called by commissioner Adam Silver. The Wizards would benefit from Dybantsa’s elite scoring ability and superstar potential, since he has the size, athleticism and speed to get to his spots at will. He’d be a immediate complement to Trae Young, and perhaps Anthony Davis if he remains a part of Washington’s long-term plans.<\/p>\n FILE – BYU forward AJ Dybantsa celebrates his three-pointer in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Baylor Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo\/Tony Gutierrez, File)<\/p>\n Tony Gutierrez\/AP<\/p>\n 2. Utah Jazz<\/p>\n Darryn Peterson, freshman guard, Kansas<\/strong><\/p>\n Recent reports suggest Peterson plans to work out solely for the Wizards with the expectation that he’s going to be the No. 1 pick. However, in this scenario Washington selected Dybantsa and Utah must choose the best available player, who also happens to be the best positional fit. Peterson fills a void in the backcourt and can play either guard position next to Lewisville native Keyonte George. He thrived away from the ball at Kansas and proved to be an elite scorer, but he desires to play the point at the next level. He could be the missing piece for the Jazz to enter an era of competitiveness.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n 3. Memphis Grizzlies<\/p>\n Cameron Boozer, freshman forward\/center, Duke<\/strong><\/p>\n Our first mock draft<\/a> had Memphis going away from the projections to select Caleb Wilson with the third pick. This time around, Boozer is\u00a0the choice for a team looking to rebuild with youth. The 6-8 forward could be the start of a new core in Grind City, and a formidable young frontcourt pairing with 7-foot big man\u00a0Zach Edey. Boozer would be able to fit on any roster because of his fundamental talent and ability to score in the post.<\/p>\n 4. Chicago Bulls<\/p>\n Caleb Wilson, freshman forward\/center, North Carolina<\/strong><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Wilson is perhaps the most athletic player in this class, which could bring a new wave of excitement to the Windy City. His arrival would align with the new direction the Bulls are headed with Bryson Graham as vice president of basketball operations and Tiago Splitter as the team’s new head coach. He has tremendous upside, especially if he’s able to develop a consistent jumper at the next level.<\/p>\n 5. LA Clippers<\/p>\n Keaton Wagler, freshman guard, Illinois<\/strong><\/p>\n The draft gets even more interesting here. The Clippers still have Kawhi Leonard on their roster, which means there’s still a chance for them to compete in the Western Conference, but this pick could be the tool for them to do so sooner rather than later. If they choose to keep the pick, then Wagler would be able to play alongside Darius Garland because of his versatility and shooting touch.<\/p>\n 6. Brooklyn Nets<\/p>\n Darius Acuff Jr., freshman guard, Arkansas<\/strong><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The Nets are in need of a star after failing to find that caliber of a player in their five first-round picks from a year ago. If Acuff is on the board by the time Brooklyn is on the clock, there\u2019s a good case he\u2019d be the starting point guard on day one because of his phenomenal scoring prowess.<\/p>\n 7. Sacramento Kings<\/p>\n Mikel Brown Jr., freshman guard, Louisville<\/strong><\/p>\n The Mavericks won’t have the benefit of selecting Brown in this edition of our mock draft. Instead, he’s taken two spots earlier by the Kings, who desperately need a point guard of the future. Brown has reportedly had a positive\u00a0predraft experience and appears unhindered by the back injury that plagued the end of his freshman year with the Cardinals.<\/p>\n 8. Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans)<\/p>\n Kingston Flemings, freshman guard, Houston<\/strong><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The Hawks have two areas of need here. They could go after a guard, or they could pursue a center. This mock draft projects Flemings to Atlanta. His explosiveness and quickness could be a perfect match next to Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.<\/p>\n 9. Dallas Mavericks<\/p>\n Brayden Burries, freshman guard, Arizona<\/strong><\/p>\n With Brown unavailable, the Mavericks could resort to a combo-guard who could be a nice fit next to Flagg. Burries fits the bill here, especially since he appears to be angling his way toward Dallas as multiple reports suggest. The freshman guard hasn’t taken many predraft workouts, but he met with the Mavericks at\u00a0the combine and appeared intrigued by the possibility.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel like I\u2019d fit right in\u2026I can play on ball, off the ball and do anything to impact the game of winning.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n As long as the Mavericks keep this selection and Burries is still on the board, the possibility is there.<\/p>\n Arizona guard Brayden Burries (5) shoots against Michigan during the second half of an NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo\/AJ Mast)<\/p>\n AJ Mast\/AP<\/p>\n 10. Milwaukee Bucks<\/p>\n Nate Ament, freshman forward, Tennessee<\/strong><\/p>\n With Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future in Milwaukee likely reaching a resolution by early next week, it\u2019s possible the Bucks could be in the market for a talented young wing. Ament checks the boxes with his size and skill. His handles are elite for his size and he possesses a solid jumpshot.<\/p>\n 11. Golden State Warriors<\/p>\n Aday Mara, junior center, Michigan<\/strong><\/p>\n The Warriors haven’t had a dominant center in the Stephen Curry era, but Mara is the best big man prospect in the draft. He can make accurate reads, finish at the basket with either hand and has elite defensive skills. He doesn’t spread the floor with 3-point shooting, but that’s what Curry does best.<\/p>\n 12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LA Clippers)<\/p>\n Yaxel Lendeborg, senior forward, Michigan<\/strong><\/p>\n The Thunder couldn’t repeat as champions this season thanks to the emergence of Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. Oklahoma City\u00a0could choose to trade either of its two first rounders, but if not, then Lendeborg could seamlessly fit into a roster surrounded by depth. He could find himself getting immediate playing time depending on what the Thunder choose to do with potential free agents Lu Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein and Kenrich Williams.<\/p>\n 13. Miami Heat<\/p>\n Labaron Philon Jr., sophomore guard, Alabama<\/strong><\/p>\n The Heat are expected to be a major player in the sweepstakes for Antetokounmpo, and if a trade materializes before the draft, then it’s highly likely Tyler\u00a0Herro will no longer be on the roster. Miami\u00a0could always use more firepower to give Bam Adebayo a lift in the scoring department. Philon can score the basketball at will and can generate points like most of the other top guards.<\/p>\n 14. Charlotte Hornets<\/p>\n Morez Johnson Jr., sophomore forward,\u00a0Michigan<\/strong><\/p>\n Michigan could have three players get drafted in the back end of the lottery, and in this case, three of the last four picks. Not bad for a national championship team, right? In this scenario, the Hornets use their first of two\u00a0first-rounders on Johnson, who has the ability to finish plays inside the paint and can be a disrupter on the defensive end. That would be a great addition to a Hornets team that already has a potent offense.<\/p>\n 15. Bulls (via Portland)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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