DHJ Quick Take: Mavericks Ramp Up 2026 NBA Draft Workouts
The Dallas Mavericks have begun a heavy run of pre-draft workouts with the 2026 NBA Draft less than two weeks out, mixing fringe first-rounders with second-round and undrafted free agent hopefuls. Consensus lottery pick Mikel Brown Jr. is among those scheduled to work out for Dallas, which holds the 9th, 30th, and 48th picks.
- Who have the Mavericks worked out? Christian Anderson, Kylan Boswell, Mark Mitchell, and several second-round and undrafted hopefuls across two sessions.
- Which prospects stand out? Anderson carries the most first-round traction of the early group, while Mikel Brown Jr., a consensus lottery pick, headlines the workouts still to come.
- Why does it matter? Dallas is building around reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg and is weighing both its 9th pick and depth additions through the draft and Summer League.
- What’s next? More workouts ahead of the 2026 NBA Draft, with Ebuka Okorie and Mikel Brown Jr. among those still scheduled.
With the 2026 NBA Draft now less than two weeks away, the Dallas Mavericks have begun ramping up their pre-draft workouts.
Last Wednesday, Dallas hosted a group including Baylor’s Obi Agbim, Butler’s Michael Ajayi, Texas Tech’s Christian Anderson, Indiana’s Tucker DeVries and Marshall’s Wyatt Fricks, according to The Dallas Morning News.
Christian Anderson Headlines Last Wednesday’s Group
Anderson has the most first-round traction of the bunch, coming off a season in which he shot 41.5% on 7.9 three-pointers attempted per game. Although he’s proved himself deadly from beyond the arc, Anderson’s size at just under 6’1 barefoot and 180 pounds has given some teams pause.
Considering the depth at the guard position in this draft, it’s hard to imagine the Mavericks reaching for Anderson with the ninth pick. That being said, it’s unlikely that Anderson slides all the way back to Dallas’ 30th overall pick, given his shotmaking ability.
The workout’s other participants will be angling more for second-round consideration or a deal as an undrafted free agent. Outside Anderson, only Ajayi (No. 70) and DeVries (No. 87) were listed in ESPN’s top 100 prospects. The Mavericks also hold the 48th pick.
Monday’s Workouts
Dallas worked out six more NBA-hopefuls on Monday. That group included Indiana’s Sam Alexis, UMBC’s DJ Armstrong, Mississippi State’s Quincy Ballard, Illinois’ Kylan Boswell, Duquesne’s David Dixon and Missouri’s Mark Mitchell.
Of the lot, Boswell (No. 55) and Mitchell (No. 79) were the lone prospects listed in ESPN’s top 100.
Boswell, a steady 21-year-old guard, was named to last season’s Big Ten All-Defense team. The 22-year-old Mitchell also earned some recognition last year, earning All-SEC second team honors.
Even though most of the Mavericks’ workouts so far won’t hear their names called on draft night, they are certainly players to monitor for undrafted free agent deals or NBA Summer League contracts.
More workouts are on the way, as Dallas will turn over every stone to best build around reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg.
More Workouts to Come
Ebuka Okorie of Stanford is one player scheduled for a workout with the Mavericks, per USA Today’s Cody Taylor. An underrated prospect entering his freshman season, Okorie quickly lit up the ACC, averaging 23.2 points per game.
The catch with Okorie, like Anderson, is his size. At just 6’1 and 186 pounds, he’ll stand to get hunted on defense and, despite his strong rim-finishing, might struggle against the larger defenses of the NBA. Regardless, Okorie is seen as a mid-to-late first-rounder.
Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr., who is seen as a consensus lottery pick, is also scheduled for a workout with Dallas, according to James Barlowe. Brown is somewhat of a polarizing prospect after his freshman season with the Cardinals was marred by a back injury.
At times, he looked like a potential top-five pick, showcasing his self-creation and long-range shooting ability. That was best showcased in a February blowout win against NC State, where he drained 10 triples en route to 45 points, breaking Flagg’s record for most points in a game by a freshman in the ACC.
On the other hand, Brown’s back injury limited him to just 21 of Louisville’s 35 games and held him out of the Cardinals’ two NCAA Tournament contests. Scouts have also questioned his decision-making and shooting efficiency.
Still, Brown’s upside paired with a fully formed Flagg could be too good an opportunity to pass up if he’s still on the board once the ninth pick rolls around.
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