Dusty May Made a Move That Locks In The Mavericks' No. 9 Pick
Holy smokes, did you catch the drama that just dropped? Right on the eve of the 2026 NBA Draft, the Dallas Mavericks reportedly just made a HUGE coaching hire, snagging Michigan's Dusty May! This isn't just a coaching change, folks, this is the kind of move that completely reshapes a team's entire draft strategy. And for Dallas, it means their No. 9 pick tonight is already looking incredibly clear.
May's Arrival, Mara's Moment
Let's rewind a sec and talk about Dusty May. This dude is no joke. In just two seasons with the Wolverines, May totally transformed that program, turning them into a national powerhouse and, get this, he just led Michigan to a national title this season! He's a winner, plain and simple. Now that he's taking over in Dallas, all eyes are on how he's going to stock his new roster. And wouldn't you know it, he's got a golden opportunity to bring in one of his former Michigan stars.
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That's where Aday Mara comes in. This guy, who transferred from UCLA to Michigan last season, was an absolute beast of a shot blocker in college basketball. We're talking elite defense, which would be a massive asset next to Cooper Flagg. The buzz is real, and this mock draft has Mara heading straight to Dallas. It just makes too much sense, right?
The Draft Board Drama for Dallas
Now, it wouldn't be draft season without a little intrigue. NBA insider Marc Stein is reporting there's been some chatter about the Mavericks trading down, potentially with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder are sitting on picks No. 12 and 17 in the first round. But if Dallas decides to stick at No. 9, which, let's be real, is a prime spot, they are absolutely set up to grab Mara. It’s hard to imagine May passing on his guy after just winning a national title with him!
But hey, gotta cover all the bases. If Mara somehow gets snatched up before No. 9, Dallas could pivot to Yaxel Lendeborg or Morez Johnson Jr. Those three, Lendeborg, Johnson, and Mara, were relentless in the NCAA Tournament, wearing down opponents and driving the Wolverines' dominant run. So no matter what, it feels like Dallas is eyeing a Michigan man for the No. 9 slot.
Beyond Big D: Early Draft Shakers
While Dallas is making waves, the top of the draft is also heating up! We're talking big names making big moves. Darryn Peterson from Kansas is projected to go first overall to Washington, bringing a sweet 20.2 points per game and a 38.2% three-point shot. Right after him, AJ Dybantsa from BYU is pegged for Utah at pick No. 2, with an insane 25.5 points per game. And for Memphis, they're looking at Cameron Boozer from Duke at pick No. 3, a monster with 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.
Oh, and talk about a mock trade shocker: the Milwaukee Bucks are projected to land an extra first-round pick, No. 13, after supposedly trading Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat. The league is buzzing, and it’s only going to get crazier!
Tonight is going to be absolutely wild. All eyes are on what Dallas does with their No. 9 pick, especially with Dusty May now at the helm. Will they go with Mara? Will they trade down? Tune in tonight, folks, because the future of the Mavericks starts now!
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.