Mavericks bet big on Flagg, judge everyone else

Mavericks 2026 – Dallas heads into a rebuild with Cooper Flagg as its centerpiece, then filled out the draft with Morez Johnson, Sergio De Larrea, Tobi Lawal and Vsevolod Ischenko—each graded for how quickly they could help.

The Dallas Mavericks spent the 2025-26 season struggling so badly that they finished tied for 11th in the Western Conference with a 26-56 record. Yet the offseason conversation doesn’t start with what went wrong. It starts with what Dallas is building.

A year ago, the Mavericks drafted Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick. This time, they kept shaping the roster around him, because the plan is clear: give Flagg the best chance to reach his potential as fast as possible.

Flagg has already delivered the kind of early statement teams dream about. He won Rookie of the Year and earned a spot on the All-Rookie team after averaging 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. He shot 46.8 percent from the field and 82.7 percent from the free throw line.

Dallas believes the fit around Flagg can accelerate development rather than slow it down. Flagg is described as a team-first player who can handle the ball and pass as well as he can shoot. That’s why the Mavericks don’t fear becoming a one-man show. What they do need is simple: teammates who can complement him and deliver key plays when games tighten.

And right now, the closest match on that draft board came with their top selection.

Round 1, Pick No. 9: Power forward Morez Johnson — Grade: B-plus
The Mavericks rolled the dice with Johnson instead of earlier expectations that Michigan’s Aday Mara and Yaxel Lendeborg might come off the board before him. In the end. Dusty May’s influence mattered—May was hired as the Mavericks’ new head coach after leading Michigan to the national championship this year—and Mavericks general manager Mike Schmitz and May went with Morez Johnson.

The decision also reflects what Johnson is expected to bring every night: defense, rebounding, and effort that doesn’t disappear when the matchup gets bigger. Johnson is listed at 6-9 and 250 pounds, and he’ll compete “his heart out on an every-game basis,” the Mavericks’ pitch goes.

Johnson’s college production wasn’t built for highlight reels every night. at least not for the role he initially started in. In games he started at Michigan, he averaged 13.1 points and 7.3 rebounds. But the argument for his ceiling is physical strength and growth potential—something that should help him battle more experienced players more consistently.

Johnson also carries confidence that Dallas thinks can travel to the NBA. “I would say my motor is unbelievable,” Johnson said, per Christian Clark of The Athletic. “Competitive. I can guard 1 through 5.”

Schmitz believes Johnson’s tenacity, rebounding and defense are only part of the story. He pointed to offensive skill as well, envisioning Johnson as a dynamic running mate with Flagg.

“I wouldn’t put a ceiling on a 20-year-old who has that rate of improvement,” Schmitz said. “To go from a young freshman to then transferring and having this type of impact already at that age. To have that tenacious mentality on the offensive glass. Just to see that rate of improvement signals there is more growth ahead on the offensive end.”.

Round 1, Pick 25: Guard Sergio De Larrea, Spain — Grade: C-plus
Dallas then added Sergio De Larrea, a 6-5 ball handler with quickness and athleticism. De Larrea was selected by the Lakers before being traded to the Mavericks.

The profile is straightforward: he’s considered a solid shooter, but he prefers to be a playmaker. That’s the part the Mavericks hope plugs into their needs—someone who can create.

Defensively. De Larrea takes it seriously as well. with enough skill that he could contribute later rather than just occupy a roster spot. The grade reflects timing. While he may need a year before he plays consistently, he does have the assets to contribute in the future. Once he makes the roster, the expectation is that he should earn a spot in May’s rotation.

Round 2, Pick 48: Forward Tobi Lawal, Virginia Tech — Grade: C-plus
Tobi Lawal is a project pick, and the Mavericks acknowledge that from the start. He’s 6-8 and 215 pounds and is described as a remarkable athlete, with the kind of physical tools that can matter once his game is refined.

But his offensive development is the limiter. The report is blunt: his game at this point is raw, and Dallas would need quite a bit of offensive growth before giving him regular playing time.

Lawal has shown defensive intensity for the Hokies, yet offensively the basics are still catching up. He can dunk the ball and make plays around the basket, and the key question is whether he can develop a reasonable mid-range game. If he does, he could prove valuable.

Round 2, Pick 26: Guard Vsevolod Ischenko, Russia — Grade: B-minus
The Mavericks made another move tied to a prior pick status—this one also begins with the Lakers. Vsevolod Ischenko was originally a Lakers pick, but Dallas wanted him enough to make the deal to acquire him.

Ischenko’s case centers on shooting and recognition. Last season with VTB United, he showed he could be dependable from the perimeter: he connected on 50 percent of his shots from the field and hit 45 percent from beyond the arc.

Development and progress also matter here. Ischenko won his league’s Young Player of the Year Award, and Dallas sees him as something of a sleeper—someone whose shooting ability could give him a chance to make an impact at the NBA level.

The Mavericks’ draft message is loud even when the season hasn’t been: Flagg is the foundation. Johnson is the early blueprint for complementing him. and everyone else comes with a different timeline. Dallas is still in transition, but in this draft it wasn’t shy about building toward what comes next.

Dallas Mavericks 2026 NBA Draft Cooper Flagg Morez Johnson Sergio De Larrea Tobi Lawal Vsevolod Ischenko Dusty May Mike Schmitz Rookie of the Year NBA draft grades