archive2026 NBA Draft

DHJ Quick Take: Chicago Bulls Hiring Tiago Splitter as Head Coach The Chicago Bulls are finalizing the hire of Tiago Splitter as head coach, bringing in the former Portland interim, who led the Trail Blazers to a surprise playoff berth. He succeeds Billy Donovan. Who is the Bulls' new head...

DHJ Quick Take: Darryn Peterson's Camp Eyes No. 1 Pick, Prefers Avoiding Utah Jazz Kansas guard Darryn Peterson does not plan to work out for the Utah Jazz, and his camp believes he has a real chance to go No. 1 to the Washington Wizards while preferring not to land...

It's almost draft day in the NBA. The Dallas Mavericks might not have had any playoff action to get stuck into this offseason, but there's plenty of draft talk to be had. Dallas has a handful of picks in the 2026 NBA draft, including the No. 9 pick, and needs...

DHJ Quick Take: Mavericks Sharpen 2026 NBA Draft Plan Around Cooper Flagg Draft analyst Ersin Demir joined Dallas Hoops Journal to assess how the Dallas Mavericks should use the No. 9 pick, the No. 30 pick, and the second round, with fit around Cooper Flagg as the guiding principle. What...

DHJ Quick Take: James Barlowe Breaks Down the Mavericks' 2026 NBA Draft Options NBA Draft analyst James Barlowe joined the Dallas Hoops Journal podcast to assess how the Dallas Mavericks should use the No. 9, No. 30, and No. 48 picks to build around Cooper Flagg. What's next? The 2026...

DHJ Quick Take: Three Trade Targets the Dallas Mavericks Could Pursue With the No. 9 Pick After landing the ninth pick instead of a second straight lottery jump, the Dallas Mavericks may be better off flipping the selection for a veteran to pair with Cooper Flagg. Why might the Mavericks...

DHJ Quick Take: The Case for Labaron Philon as the Dallas Mavericks' Hidden Gem at No. 9 Labaron Philon is mocked behind several guards in a deep 2026 class, but his production and well-rounded skill set make him a strong fit for the Dallas Mavericks at the ninth pick. Why...

DHJ Quick Take: Why Brayden Burries Could Fit the Mavericks at No. 9 Arizona guard Brayden Burries doesn't match Masai Ujiri's usual preference for long, athletic defenders, but his shooting and point-of-attack defense could make him a strong complement to Cooper Flagg. What does Burries do well? He hit 39.1%...

DHJ Quick Take: Mavericks Hold the No. 9 Pick and a Trade-Down Card in the 2026 Draft The Dallas Mavericks landed the ninth pick in a top-heavy 2026 NBA draft, and a swap with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the 12th and 17th picks could turn one selection into two...

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...