Mavericks Could Use No. 9 Pick to Build Stronger Future Around Cooper Flagg

The Dallas Mavericks enter the 2026 NBA Draft facing one of the most important decisions of their rebuilding era. After a difficult season filled with injuries, inconsistency, and disappointing results, the franchise now possesses a valuable opportunity to reshape its future through the No. 9 overall pick.

While many teams would simply remain in place and select the best player available, Dallas may need to take a more creative approach. The organization has already identified its franchise centerpiece in Cooper Flagg, whose impressive rookie campaign provided a bright spot during an otherwise frustrating year.

Flagg demonstrated the ability to impact games in multiple ways, emerging as a scorer, playmaker, rebounder, and defender capable of influencing every aspect of the game. His arrival gave the Mavericks hope that a return to contention may not be as far away as their record suggested.

The challenge now is ensuring the young star is surrounded by the right supporting cast. With limited future draft flexibility and several roster needs still unresolved, the Mavericks must maximize the value of every asset available to them, beginning with the ninth pick.

1. Why Trading Down Makes Sense

Holding a top-10 selection is typically viewed as a major advantage, especially in a draft filled with promising young talent. However, Dallas’ biggest issue may not be the lack of another potential star but rather the absence of overall roster depth. Throughout the 2025-26 season, the Mavericks struggled to receive consistent contributions from multiple positions. Injuries disrupted rotations, offensive production became unreliable, and the bench often failed to provide the support necessary to compete with the league’s top teams. For that reason, trading down could become an appealing strategy. Teams positioned later in the first round that possess multiple draft selections may be willing to move up into the lottery, giving Dallas an opportunity to convert one premium asset into several valuable pieces. A deal involving a team with multiple first-round picks could dramatically improve the Mavericks’ flexibility. Instead of placing all their hopes on a single prospect, Dallas could address multiple weaknesses while adding more young talent to grow alongside Flagg over the coming years.

2. Building the Right Team Around Flagg

One of Cooper Flagg’s greatest strengths is his versatility. He can create offense, defend multiple positions, and impact games without dominating the ball. Because of that skill set, the Mavericks should focus on finding players who complement rather than duplicate his abilities. Adding perimeter shooting would likely be among the team’s top priorities. During much of last season, opposing defenses crowded the paint and challenged Dallas’ supporting cast to consistently make outside shots. Too often, the Mavericks failed to punish those defensive strategies. Acquiring multiple first-round selections could allow the front office to target specialized contributors. A reliable shooter could create more spacing and open driving lanes, while an athletic defensive big man could strengthen the interior and provide additional rim protection. Those types of complementary pieces often play critical roles on successful teams. Rather than searching for another player to carry the offense, Dallas could focus on constructing a balanced roster that maximizes Flagg’s strengths and allows him to operate more efficiently.

3. Learning From Recent Success Stories

Recent NBA contenders have demonstrated the importance of depth and roster balance. Teams that advance deep into the playoffs typically receive meaningful contributions from multiple players rather than relying exclusively on one or two stars. The 2026 champion New York Knicks benefited from a deep rotation capable of contributing on both ends of the floor. Likewise, the San Antonio Spurs reached the Finals with a roster that consistently received production from a variety of players throughout the season. Dallas lacked that type of depth for much of the past year. While Flagg frequently delivered standout performances, the Mavericks often struggled when additional scoring, defense, or energy was required from the supporting cast. Addressing that issue must become a major priority moving forward. Trading down could help achieve that goal while also preserving long-term roster flexibility. Multiple first-round selections would provide affordable talent, improve depth, and create additional opportunities for player development. As the Mavericks continue building around Cooper Flagg, that approach may offer the most effective path toward sustained success.