Dallas Mavericks linked to back-injury-hit 18.2 PPG playmaker as No. 9 pick

Dallas Mavericks linked to back-injury-hit 18.2 PPG playmaker as No. 9 pick originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Dallas Mavericks will hold the No. 9 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft following the results of the NBA Draft Lottery. It marks the first time since 2017-18 that the franchise has landed top-10 selections in back-to-back years.

As discussion is going on around who the Mavericks might target, the Dallas Morning News’ Tim Cowlishaw suggested that Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr. might be a realistic option within the top 10 of a highly talented draft class. Cowlishaw recalled watching Brown in person on Feb. 17 at Moody Coliseum, when SMU defeated a ranked Louisville squad 95-85.

“A point guard with good long-A point guard with good long-range shooting skills who used his left hand like a pro, driving against the Mustangs, Brown checks all the boxes but one, which is why he might be available when Dallas picks,” Cowlishaw wrote.

"I recognize that new president Masai Ujiri and new GM Mike Schmitz - a former ESPN draft analyst himself - were hired for a reason, so they will do their exhaustive study along with Mavericks scouts.”

Brown was among the most productive guards in college basketball last season when he was healthy. He averaged 18.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in 25 games, but his year was cut short after he missed the final six games due to a back injury.