
The Dallas Mavericks are predicted to secure back-to-back No. 1 picks in the 2026 NBA Draft, selecting Cooper Flagg and BYU's AJ Dybantsa. This could significantly reshape their roster and enhance their competitiveness in the Western Conference.
Latest 2026 Mock Draft predicts Mavericks land back-to-back No. 1 picks, pair Cooper Flagg with 6'9" 25.5 PPG March Madness hero originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Dallas Mavericks finished another tanking season, parting ways with Anthony Davis, and ending with a record of 26-56. With that, theyâll have a top pick in the draft, giving them someone they can pair with their young star, Cooper Flagg.
In Zach Buckley of Bleacher Reportâs latest 2026 NBA Mock Draft, the Mavericks once again defy the odds, and land the No. 1 overall pick. They then use that pick to draft BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa.
âA second consecutive No. 1 pick for the Mavericks? Let the conspiracy theories fly, folks. Seriously, though, how incredible would this be for the franchise? Look, that Luka DonÄiÄ will always be remembered as a disaster, but Cooper Flagg has already shown cornerstone potential, and Dybantsa has all of the qualities needed to do the sameâŠBetween Flagg's versatility and Dybantsa's forever coveted archetype, Dallas could rebuild this roster however it wants. Or maybe the Mavs mess around and become a force in the Western Conference already next season if Dybantsa hits the ground sprinting and shows no ill effects from the ACL tear he suffered in March 2025,â Buckley wrote.
The Mavericks finished the season with a 26-56 record, allowing them to secure top picks in the upcoming draft.
The Mavericks are predicted to draft Cooper Flagg and BYU forward AJ Dybantsa with their No. 1 picks.
Both players are viewed as potential cornerstones, which could help the Mavericks rebuild and become a competitive force in the Western Conference.



Virginia Tech's spring football game delayed after parachuter gets stuck on scoreboard.
England crushes Scotland 84-7 in Women's Six Nations at record crowd
Justin Verlander won't travel to Fenway Park due to hip inflammation.
See every story in Sports â including breaking news and analysis.
This past season with the Cougars, Dybantsa averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 steals in 34.8 minutes per game. Combine that with Flaggâs talents, and the Mavs could have the best back-to-back draft duos since the Boston Celticsâ Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
Pairing these two would set Dallas up to have a superstar duo as their core for years to come. They would have two stars to build around, and create a contender that can match the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, and all the other perennial playoff teams.
Hopefully, this mock draft comes true, and the Mavs have a future to look forward to.
MOREÂ NBAÂ CONTENT