DHJ Quick Take: Mavericks Trade Down Targets to Consider
- The Asset Conundrum Meet Cooper Flagg: Empty draft cupboards following the heavy win-now roster adjustments around the historic Luka Dončić trade completely reset Dallas’ front-office strategy. The arrival of 19-year-old centerpiece Cooper Flagg changes everything, forcing management to address a glaring shortage of developmental draft capital.
- Morez Johnson Jr.’s National Championship Defensive Anchor: Fresh off anchoring Michigan’s 2026 National Championship run, the 6-foot-9, 251-pound sophomore presents a hyper-physical, defensive-minded frontcourt blueprint. Johnson dominated the combine physicals with an 8-foot-11 standing reach, flashing elite lateral switchability and high-level weakside rim-protection.
- Cameron Carr’s Explosive Vertical Spacing: Emerging as a polarizing, high-volume lottery talent after a breakout sophomore year at Baylor, Carr boasts a ridiculous 42.5-inch max vertical and a 7-foot-1 wingspan. Blending elite transition explosiveness with a smooth 37.4% catch-and-shoot perimeter stroke, he represents a high-octane offensive spacer alongside Flagg.
- Dailyn Swain’s Sweet 16 All-Around Breakout: The Texas junior completely reconfigured his professional stock via a relentless slashing profile (converting 63% of his attempts at the rim). Leading the Longhorns in points, rebounds, and assists, Swain’s 6-foot-10 wingspan provides a rugged, day-one two-way wing floor.
The Dallas Mavericks do not have much draft capital to work with. That’s the consequence of going all in on Luka Dončić and quickly pivoting. Landing Cooper Flagg did more than enough to soften the blow. Still, Dallas is in a comparable situation. They have a franchise player, but they don’t have the assets to build around him.
When that franchise player is 19, that gets a bit more complicated.
For that reason, there’s been speculation that the Mavericks could look to trade down in the 2026 NBA Draft. It could be the right move. Doing so would allow the Mavericks to bring in an intriguing young player and add some assets in the process.
Here are three players in the draft they could look at.
Morez Johnson, Michigan
One question the Mavericks need to ask themselves is how they plan on building around Flagg. He’s a hyper-athletic wing. Will they look to contrast his strengths, or double down in that area?
If they’re going the latter route, Morez Johnson would be a strong choice. He’s a 6-foot-9, 250-pound wing who has impressive quickness at his size. Johnson isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty as a plus rebounder and defender.
Is he a future star? We can’t rule it out, but it’s unlikely. Johnson is limited as a shot creator. Still, if Dallas can trade far enough down, they might be able to land a future first-round pick that lands in a part of the draft where it’s easier to draft for potential.
Cameron Carr, Baylor
By contrast, Cameron Carr arguably has some star potential.
He’s 6-foot-5. Carr is an impressive run-and-jump athlete. He shot 37.4% from deep this year. What’s not to love?
Well, if Carr were perfect, he wouldn’t be a trade-down candidate. Questions about his ball-handling and shot selection persist. Still, there’s a lot of potential here. Carr could be the optimal shot maker to pair with Flagg to juice the Mavericks’ offense moving forward.
Dailyn Swain, Texas
Finally, we’ve got a relatively high-floor, high-ceiling prospect. If Dallas wants Dailyn Swain, they may not want to trade too far down. This is a prospect who’s starting to shoot up draft boards.
Swain is a rugged defender, but don’t mistake him for a role player. He has a deep bag of offensive tricks that allow him to get to the rim. He’s a bona fide two-way force.
His shooting is his swing skill. Swain shot a reasonable 34.4% from long range for Texas this year. That’s solid, but if he can improve on that mark, he’s got real star upside. Even if he doesn’t hit it, he’s got a solid floor as a part-time scorer and full-time defender.
That sounds like a good use of limited draft capital.
Latest Mavericks News & Rumors At Dallas Hoops Journal
- Dallas Mavericks Sources Believe Jason Kidd Had Level Of Support In Luka Dončić Trade
- Why Masai Ujiri Parted With Matt Riccardi But Kept The Door Open For Michael Finley
- Sources: Multiple NBA Contenders Interested In Trading For Dallas Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving
- Why Masai Ujiri Moved On From Jason Kidd To Build Around Cooper Flagg
- Dallas Mavericks ‘Mutually Agree’ To Part Ways With Jason Kidd, Begin Search For Head Coach
- Why Keeping Kyrie Irving Is The Smartest Move For Cooper Flagg’s Early Timeline
- Mike Schmitz Opens Up On Quick Rise To Dallas Mavericks GM Chair
- Dallas Mavericks To Select 9th Overall In 2026 NBA Draft, Mike Schmitz ‘Very Confident’ In Class Depth
