The Dallas Mavericks experienced a dramatic shift in fortune at the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, sliding to the No. 9 pick just one year after their historic "Miracle of May 12th." Last season, Dallas defied astronomical 1.8% odds to land the coveted No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft — a moment that felt like pure basketball magic. This year, however, the basketball gods had a different plan.
Entering the lottery with the eighth-best odds, the Mavericks had a promising 29% chance to jump into the top four and a 6.7% shot at securing the No. 1 pick for a second straight year. Instead, they dropped one spot to ninth, a small but meaningful setback for a franchise that had been riding high on last year's lottery luck.
Despite the slide, Mavericks general manager Mike Schmitz remains optimistic. Speaking to reporters at the NBA Draft Lottery in Chicago, Schmitz expressed confidence that Dallas can still land a rotation-caliber player at No. 9. "I think we want someone who can bring a variety of different skills and bring a mentality that we’re looking for," Schmitz said. "But we’re really confident we can get a rotation-level player, and we’re gonna do everything we can."
Schmitz also emphasized that the team hasn't locked in on a specific position yet, highlighting the depth and versatility of this year's draft class. "I think we’re looking for someone who can fit our culture, have an impact at a high level for many years to come, and I think that’s the beauty of this class," he explained. "It’s very deep, there’s a wide variety of players at different positions that bring different skill sets. We’re gonna bring those guys in, really vet the market, and get a really good player."
The Mavericks have reason to be patient. Last year's No. 1 pick, Cooper Flagg, delivered an exceptional rookie season, earning Rookie of the Year honors and establishing himself as one of the league's most promising young stars. Pairing Flagg with another foundational piece at No. 9 could set Dallas up for sustained success.
History also offers some comfort for Mavericks fans. The No. 9 pick has produced legendary talent over the years, including Dirk Nowitzki (1998) and Rolando Blackman (1981) — both of whom became franchise icons in Dallas. More recently, the pick has yielded stars like Shawn Marion, Amar'e Stoudemire, Andre Iguodala, DeMar DeRozan, and Tracy McGrady. The Mavericks also selected Dennis Smith Jr. at No. 9 in 2017 before trading up to draft Luka Dončić the following year.
This marks the second consecutive season that Mavericks team president Masai Ujiri has held the ninth overall pick. Last year, he selected Collin Murray-Boyles, who quickly emerged as a breakout star. With that track record and a deep draft class ahead, Dallas fans have plenty of reasons to stay excited about what's to come.