Last year at this time, the Dallas Mavericks hit the jackpot. Against all odds, they secured the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery and landed Cooper Flagg—a generational talent who went on to win Rookie of the Year. That lottery magic didn't strike twice on Sunday, so the Mavs will pick ninth in the loaded 2026 NBA Draft. But don't let that fool you: Dallas still has a golden opportunity to bring in serious reinforcements.

If the Mavericks were hoping to find a strong running mate for Flagg, that's very much on the table. ESPN's Tim MacMahon noted that Dallas is "in desperate need of shooting" as they build around Flagg, who averaged 21.0 points per game despite poor spacing around him. That's a clear signal that the front office knows exactly what they're after.

The top four picks appear locked in with a combination of AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson. But the real treasure for Dallas might be in the next tier. Five talented point guards are on the board—Darius Acuff, Kingston Flemings, Keaton Wagler, Mikel Brown Jr., and Brayden Burries—any of whom could be the perfect young floor general to pair with Flagg. If the Mavs want length and versatility, Tennessee's Nate Ament offers an intriguing mix of height, skill, and upside.

The pre-draft process will inevitably reveal more options, but the simple reality is this: the 2026 draft class is deep, and these players all have a chance to be really good. Dallas didn't need the No. 1 pick this year. They might just do fine where they are.