DHJ Quick Take: Dallas Mavericks Land No. 9
- The Ninth Symphony: Landing at No. 9 is more than just a number for Dallas; it’s a full-circle moment for Rolando Blackman, who was the franchise’s first No. 9 pick. In a draft described by Mike Schmitz as “very deep,” this slot provides the Mavericks with a prime opportunity to secure a long-term starter who fits the “high-IQ, versatile” profile that both Ujiri and Schmitz prioritize.
- The Schmitz Advantage: Having a General Manager who is arguably the league’s premier talent evaluator is a massive advantage at pick No. 9. While other teams may reach, Schmitz’s deep international and domestic scouting background ensures the Mavericks will “vet the market” to find a player whose “connective qualities” complement Flagg and Kyrie Irving.
- Collaborative Culture: Masai Ujiri’s emphasis on a non-hierarchical front office is the most significant cultural shift in Dallas in years. By empowering Schmitz and fostering a “no job too small” environment, the Mavericks are building a modern operational engine designed for sustainable winning rather than short-term splashes.
- The “Match Made in Heaven”: Schmitz’s assessment of the Kyrie-Flagg duo as a “magician and a connector” defines the roster’s current ceiling. The No. 9 pick will likely be used to find a “strong player who can pass and shoot,” as Blackman noted, to capitalize on the gravity created by the Mavs’ two primary stars.
- Depth and Health: While the draft adds new talent, Blackman’s point about internal development and health—specifically keeping Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford on the floor—remains the baseline. The No. 9 pick isn’t being asked to save the franchise; they are being asked to solidify a rotation that is already “winning now.”
CHICAGO — The Dallas Mavericks will select ninth overall in the 2026 NBA Draft after the results of Sunday’s NBA Draft Lottery at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
It marks the fifth time in franchise history that the Mavericks have held the No. 9 pick and the first time Dallas has selected in the top 10 in consecutive years since 2017 and 2018. The Mavericks selected Cooper Flagg No. 1 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. Dallas also holds the No. 30 and No. 48 picks.
The franchise’s four previous selections at No. 9: Rolando Blackman in 1981, Dale Ellis in 1983, Samaki Walker in 1996, and Dennis Smith Jr. out of N.C. State in 2017.
Newly hired general manager Mike Schmitz, who was introduced two days before the lottery, said Dallas is confident it can land a rotation player at No. 9 in what he and others around the league have described as one of the deepest draft classes in recent years.
“Very confident,” Schmitz said. “We want someone who can bring a variety of different skills and bring kind of a mentality that we’re looking for. But we’re really confident we can get a rotation-level player, and we’re going to do everything we can.”
Masai Ujiri Sets the Tone for the New Front Office
President of basketball operations Masai Ujiri, hired earlier this month, deferred draft commentary to Schmitz when asked about the depth of the class, but used the lottery podium to outline how he intends to run the front office in Dallas.
“It’s one of the deepest drafts in recent years,” Ujiri said. “Honestly, I’m going to leave my comments to that guy over there. This is his time.”
Ujiri said his relationship with Schmitz dates back years, built through international scouting circles, and that the 35-year-old former Portland Trail Blazers executive checked the boxes the Mavericks were looking for in a general manager.
“I’ve known him for many, many years. Incredible scout, incredible leader,” Ujiri said. “He digs deep into work, data, and everything you want to know about scouting players and team building. Treating people well, staff organizing, managing people — it’s the whole package you want in these things.”
Ujiri said the front office structure will be collaborative rather than hierarchical.
“We all work well together, and the way I’m going to set up the leadership team is we’re all going to work hard and work well together,” Ujiri said. “There’s no job that’s too small and no job that’s too big. Nobody’s walking around like they’re a boss. We all work really hard and try to win. There’s nothing more important than winning in sports. It’s all about winning, and we’re winning now.”
Ujiri also pointed to Flagg as the cornerstone that allows the rest of the build to take shape.
“We got a guy that makes it easy for us. His name is Cooper Flagg,” Ujiri said. “That’s the gem you’re looking for wherever you go around the world. That’s the type of guy you’re looking for, and we’re lucky that we can start somewhere there.”
Mike Schmitz on Building Around Cooper Flagg
Schmitz, who said he is still finalizing his move to Dallas, told reporters in Chicago that Flagg’s versatility opens the door to a wide range of fits at No. 9.
“He’s so versatile. I think that’s the beauty of Cooper. He can play with the ball, he can play without the ball. He’s got such a high IQ, and he defends multiple positions at a high level,” Schmitz said. “So I think there are a multitude of different players that can fit with that style, and I think that allows us to be really creative with different lineups we can put around him and different targets that we can look to add in the draft, in free agency, and in trade.”
Asked whether the Mavericks were prioritizing a guard, wing, or center at No. 9, Schmitz said no position has been ruled out.
“I don’t think any position is narrowed down right now. I think we’re looking for someone who can fit our culture, have an impact at a high level for many years to come, and I think that’s the beauty of this class — it’s very deep,” Schmitz said. “There’s a wide variety of players at different positions that bring different skill sets. We’re going to bring those guys in and really vet the market and get a really good player at that number.”
Schmitz, asked about the pairing of Flagg and guard Kyrie Irving, called the duo a “match made in heaven.”
“You heard Masai in his opening presser. That’s something you dream of — having a magician with the ball like that who can pass, dribble, shoot, and someone with the connective qualities of Coop,” Schmitz said.
Rolando Blackman Represents Mavs Onstage
Mavericks legend Rolando Blackman, the franchise’s first No. 9 pick in 1981, represented Dallas onstage at the lottery and said the slot has personal meaning.
“My immediate reaction was that, hey, I was number nine. And it’s not bad being able to be a part of this. I’m just really happy to be a part of this whole thing, to be able to represent the Mavs and be able to sit down on that stage,” Blackman said.
Blackman said the No. 9 pick can produce a long-term contributor when paired with strong development and veteran leadership, citing his own experience under former Mavericks head coach Dick Motta.
“The important factor for me is I knew that I was coming into a place where it was going to be a new franchise, new situations, but I was going to have the people who were going to help me get better,” Blackman said. “You’ve got to be able to come into experience, and I came into experience with Coach Motta and having the opportunity to understand what I needed to do. And it worked out. You get a chance to develop, and once you develop, you get a chance to execute.”
Blackman outlined what he sees as the biggest factors in the Mavericks taking a step forward in 2026-27 — health and internal development across the existing roster, including Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, P.J. Washington, Naji Marshall, Brandon Williams, and Max Christie.
“The first thing they need is the luck of staying healthy, putting all these guys on the court. We’ve got to have Lively on the court together with Gafford. It’s just a fantastic thing to have those guys taken care of,” Blackman said. “Kyrie is coming back, one of the top players in all the land. You got Cooper Flagg, who can hoop, period.”
Blackman, asked what type of player Dallas should target around Flagg, pointed to a profile that can pass and shoot at a high level.
“The important fact is that they have to be overall strong players and have the opportunity to pass the basketball, as well as shoot the basketball,” Blackman said. “Because anytime you have a player that can go downhill and take it to the basket, just like Kyrie can and just like Flagg can, the important factor is when you pass that basketball, you’ve got to have somebody that can put the ball in the hole and take advantage of all the advantages that they’ve just given you with their talent.”
Mike Schmitz on His Path to the Job
Schmitz, who was an ESPN draft analyst before joining the Portland Trail Blazers’ front office, said his hiring on Friday capped a journey that included years of international scouting work alongside Ujiri.
“It’s been chaotic in a beautiful way. It’s not lost on me what an amazing opportunity this is. I’m 35 years old, and to be able to be a general manager for such a prestigious organization, working in unison with Masai, obviously Patrick Dumont and the rest of the ownership group believing in me, it’s a really, really important time,” Schmitz said.
Schmitz said he intends to apply lessons from his time in Portland — particularly around cross-departmental collaboration — to his work in Dallas.
“Dealing with people, process, all different types of departments, health and performance, all those things and how they collaborate together. That’s what I want to bring to Dallas,” Schmitz said.
Schmitz said head coach Jason Kidd was another draw to the job.
“Obviously, he’s got a really high IQ, got a great way with the guys, a really good temperament, good demeanor. He’s won as a player, as a coach,” Schmitz said. “Really impressive resume, and he’s done a good job.”
2026 NBA Draft Details
The 2026 NBA Draft will be held Tuesday, June 23, and Wednesday, June 24, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. The first round will air on ABC, ESPN, and the ESPN App, and the second round will air on ESPN and the ESPN App. Coverage both nights begins at 7 p.m. CT.
More Mavericks Coverage on Dallas Hoops Journal
- Dallas Mavericks Name Mike Schmitz General Manager Under President Masai Ujiri
- ‘I Hope To Bring Calm’: Masai Ujiri Lays Out Vision For Cooper Flagg’s Dallas Mavericks
- ‘It Means Everything’: Dallas Mavericks Star Cooper Flagg Reflects On NBA Rookie Of The Year Award
- Cooper Flagg Wins NBA Rookie Of The Year, Joins Jason Kidd And Luka Dončić In Dallas Mavericks History
- ‘That’s What Paul Silas Did For Me’: LeBron James Draws Parallel Between His Rookie Role And Cooper Flagg’s
- ‘He Will Be Unstoppable’: Cooper Flagg’s Three-Point Statement Gives Blueprint For NBA Dominance
- ‘They’re Very Similar’: Jason Kidd Breaks Down The LeBron James Parallels For Cooper Flagg
