DHJ Quick Take: Mike Schmitz Says Mavericks Are Hunting a ‘Difference Maker’ With No. 9 Pick
- Core Piece Search: General manager Mike Schmitz said the Mavericks are approaching the No. 9 pick as an opportunity to add a “difference maker” and a long-term core piece for the franchise.
- Looking Outside the Top Four: Schmitz pointed to draft history as evidence that All-Star-caliber talent often comes from outside the top four picks, saying Dallas is searching for “the guy who went too low when he should’ve gone higher.”
- Three-Pick Optionality: Dallas owns picks at No. 9, No. 30, and No. 48, giving the front office flexibility to draft and develop, trade, or move up and down the board.
- Process-Driven Evaluation: Schmitz said Dallas will rely on intel, medical reports, live evaluations, and film work to identify the right player, with analytics serving as one of several inputs in the evaluation.
DALLAS — Dallas Mavericks general manager Mike Schmitz said the team is approaching its No. 9 pick in next month’s NBA Draft as an opportunity to add a “difference maker” and long-term core piece for the franchise.
Schmitz discussed the team’s draft approach during a roundtable with reporters at American Airlines Center on Friday. The Mavericks own the ninth overall selection, along with picks at No. 30 and No. 48, marking Schmitz’s first draft cycle as the team’s general manager.
“We’re looking for a difference maker. We’re looking for a young player to add to our core. We’re looking for a core piece,” Schmitz said.
He pointed to past drafts as evidence that impact talent often comes from outside the very top of the lottery.
“You look at drafts year after year and players that don’t go No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 or No. 4 end up as All-Stars and impact players for years and years to come,” Schmitz said. “We’re looking for that guy. The guy who went too low when he should’ve gone higher when we do these redrafts in a few years.”
Schmitz said Dallas will rely on a thorough evaluation process to identify that player.
“We’re going to stick to our process and be very thorough in our evaluations from an intel standpoint, medical, live evaluations, film work and all those things when we bring a player in and evaluate this group,” Schmitz said.
Optionality at 30 and 48
Schmitz also pointed to the depth of Dallas’ draft capital as a key asset entering the offseason.
“Feel great about nine. Really excited about that spot that we’re in and also just the optionality of having 30, having 48 and having different tools to get better,” Schmitz said. “Really excited to continue this draft process and add more to our talent base.”
The Mavericks hold three picks total in the 2026 NBA Draft, giving Schmitz multiple opportunities to add to the long-term core. The combination of an early lottery selection and two later picks gives the front office flexibility to draft and develop, package picks in a trade, or move up or down the board if the right opportunity presents itself.
How Dallas Evaluates Feel
Schmitz also outlined what the front office looks for when evaluating prospects, particularly when it comes to feel and basketball IQ.
“You’re looking for if you’re in the right spots on the ball, defensively and off the ball offensively,” Schmitz said. “Are you timely with your defensive rotations? Are you making the extra pass? Are you heady with your decisions? Instinctually, are you always around the ball? Those are some things that stand out.”
He added that analytics remain a critical part of the process but are one of several inputs the front office uses.
“It’s one of the inputs for sure and it’s an important one. The way that data has improved since I started in all this is incredible. It’s a big piece of the pie and a big piece of the puzzle. As is intel. As is video. As is medical background. All those things.”
The 2026 NBA Draft is set for Tuesday, June 23 (first round) and Wednesday, June 24 (second round) at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Dallas selects ninth overall, with additional picks at No. 30 and No. 48.
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