Now that the Nico Harrison championship window experiment is over, it’s time to get serious about how the Dallas Mavericks can leverage their talent to bring in players and draft assets to build around their rookie generational talent, Cooper Flagg. Flagg is a high-flying two-way wing with superstar potential, and the best way to build around him is through the NBA Draft. Currently, the Mavericks have a 3-9 record and only a 17 percent chance of making the playoffs, but luckily for the Mavericks,
they control their first-round pick in the loaded 2026 NBA Draft.
While we won’t know where the Mavericks will draft until the end of the season, there’ s a good chance they are a lottery team unless they beat the odds and make the playoffs. If the season ended today the Mavericks would have the seventh pick with a 37 percent chance of landing a top four pick in the NBA Draft. With that being said, here are five exciting lottery prospects that could be great running mates for Cooper Flagg in Dallas.
Darryn Peterson
Darryn Peterson is a freshman combo guard at the University of Kansas. Peterson is a 6’6 205 lbs, highly touted prospect who has been compared to players like Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade. Peterson would be a great fit for the Mavericks, his positional versatility would enable him to play alongside Kyrie Irving in the backcourt and develop into an elite playmaker. Peterson is a two-way player who can guard perimeter players, initiate the offense, drive to the basket, or step back and shoot a three. The Mavericks will likely need a top-three pick to pair Flagg with Peterson.
Mikel Brown Jr.
Mikel Brown is a 6’5 190 lbs, freshman point guard at the University of Louisville. Brown is regarded as the best pure point guard in the draft. Brown’s stock has been rising exponentially since this summer when he led Team USA to Gold in the FIBA U-19 World Cup. He’s an excellent passer with great court vision, good handle, and can lead a team in an uptempo offense that suits Flagg’s strengths. Brown has been mocked anywhere from the fourth pick to the eighth pick in this year’s draft.
AJ Dybantsa
AJ Dybantsa is the best-known prospect in the NBA Draft, becoming the consensus number one prospect in the country during his Junior year in high school. Dybantsa is a 6’9” 210 lbs, wing from Brigham Young University. He’s a great two-way player with a high motor and even higher ceiling who has been compared to players like Paul George and RJ Barrett. Pairing Dybantsa with Flagg would allow the Mavericks to build their team around two elite two-way wings similar to the Celtics’ Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
Caleb Wilson
Caleb Wilson is an athletic 6’10” 215 lbs forward at the University of North Carolina. Wilson is a versatile jumbo wing, who can defend players on the perimeter. His length and vertical pop block and alter shots as a help side rim protector. Wilson is also a prolific rebounder, a skill that should translate well into the NBA. Offensively Wilson is great at setting picks, rolling to the basket for a lob or hitting a mid range shot. He’ll have some trouble converting from behind the arc, unless its an open catch and shoot opportunity. Wilson’s abilty to run the floor and finish high above the rim make him a great off ball offensive threat. His elite defense would take the presure off of Flagg to be the primary wing defender. Wilson’s draft stock will depend on how he looks in conference play. Right now Wilson is mocked between fifth and eleventh on most boards.
Tounde Yessoufou
Tounde Yessoufou is a 6’5” 215 lbs Wing at Baylor. Yessoufou is an uber-athletic scorer who can finish through contact. He has a really high motor, with a great first step, and an NBA frame. In high school, he broke the all-time California record for points scored and won the 2025 McDonald’s All-American slam dunk contest. Defensively, Yessoufou is a two-way wing that can guard up or down a position. Yessoufou is also a skilled rebounder for his position, and his quick hands and burst help him create turnovers and fast breaks. He isn’t the greatest outside shooter or facilitator right now, but his ability to drive and finish at the basket is elite. Yessoufou would fit nicely on the Mavericks roster next to Flagg, creating highlight plays and being a solid defensive helper. Yessoufou’s game has been compared to Anthony Edwards, so it’s not surprising that he is being mocked in the sixth to ninth spot in this year’s draft.
