Dusty May's Mavericks Move and Nobody in the NBA Is Ready For Their No. 9 Pick

Holy smokes, NBA Draft eve just got completely wild! The Dallas Mavericks pulled off a stunner, reportedly hiring Michigan's own Dusty May as their new head coach right before the big night. Talk about last minute drama! This guy, May, is an absolute legend, transforming Michigan's program into a national powerhouse in just two seasons and clinching a national title this year. Now, with him at the helm in Big D, everyone's buzzing about what the Mavs are gonna do with that crucial No. 9 pick tomorrow. You just know this is gonna shake things up.

May's Michigan Connection and Dallas's Dilemma

So, here's the deal: with May now calling the shots, all eyes are on whether he'll grab one of his former Wolverines stars. NBA insider Marc Stein already spilled the tea, saying the Mavericks have been chatting with the Oklahoma City Thunder about possibly trading down. OKC is sitting pretty with picks No. 12 and 17 in the first round, so that's definitely a move Dallas could make. But if they stand pat at No. 9, it seems like a no-brainer they'll go for a Michigan player May coached last season. Who's at the top of that list? Aday Mara, the absolute beast. Mara, who transferred from UCLA to Michigan last season, was a shot blocking machine in college basketball. We're talking elite defense. Imagine him playing alongside former No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, that's a defensive combo that would wreck opposing offenses. But if Mara's off the board, don't sweat it too much. Dallas still has o

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ptions from May's Michigan squad. Yaxel Lendeborg or Morez Johnson Jr. are also on their radar. Remember how that trio, Mara, Lendeborg, and Johnson, just wore down teams during the NCAA Tournament? They powered the Wolverines to a seriously dominant run. It's smart to pick a guy you know.

Draft Night Shocks and Top Talent

And speaking of shocks, the draft board's got some other wild stuff brewing. Word is the Milwaukee Bucks are snagging an extra first-round pick, No. 13, after a mock trade sending Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat. Yeah, you read that right, Giannis! That's a blockbuster that would rock the league, even if it's just a mock right now. As for the top of the draft, here's a quick look at who's projected to go where. Darryn Peterson, a point guard from Kansas, is pegged as the No. 1 overall pick to Washington. The guy put up 20.2 points, 4.2 boards, and 1.6 assists, shooting 38.2% from three. Utah's looking at AJ Dybantsa, a small forward from BYU, at No. 2, with averages of 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. Then at No. 3, Memphis is eyeing Cameron Boozer, a power forward from Duke, who posted 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. These guys are next-level talent. So, here we are, on the cusp of the 2026 NBA Draft. What's at stake for Dallas? Everything. Their new coach, Dusty May, is in the building, and his first move, that No. 9 pick, is gonna set the tone. Will he draft Aday Mara, his Michigan shot-blocking phenom? Or does he have another plan up his sleeve? Tune in tomorrow night, because this is gonna be one for the books!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.