archive2026 NBA Draft

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...

DHJ Quick Take: ESPN Pitches Daniel Gafford Trade Involving Los Angeles Lakers The Roster Realignment: As the Mavericks lean heavily into a long-term development strategy anchored around 19-year-old cornerstone Cooper Flagg, moving productive veteran pieces for younger floor-mappers is becoming a clear priority. The Trade Architecture: A new proposal sends...

DHJ Quick Take: Masai Ujiri’s Arrival Signals a Bold, Plus-Size Draft Philosophy at No. 9 The Masai Ujiri Identity Shift: The blockbuster hiring of Masai Ujiri as team president instantly establishes a clear, structural blueprint for the franchise. Renowned for prioritizing elite positional length, raw physical size, and high-intensity defense,...

DHJ Quick Take: Assessing the Spacing Dilemma of Karim López at No. 9 The Curveball Lottery Projection: Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor slatted the New Zealand Breakers' 19-year-old forward Karim López to Dallas at No. 9. While flashing lottery-level length and multi-positional defense, López remains a highly debated offensive fit for...

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...

DHJ Quick Take: The Mike Schmitz Era Begins The Quick Turnaround: Just 48 hours after being officially named the general manager of the Dallas Mavericks, Mike Schmitz took center stage at the NBA Draft Lottery podium at McCormick Place—the exact venue where he previously covered the event as ESPN's lead...

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...