Dallas could eye Michigan’s Aday Mara to anchor the paint alongside Cooper Flagg, prioritizing elite rim protection over backcourt depth to secure the franchise's long-term defensive future.
The Dallas Mavericks already have a franchise centerpiece in Cooper Flagg, so now the job in the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft is to build around him. And many think that the Mavs will take a guard to go alongside Flagg.
But in a recent mock draft from CBS Sports, they have Dallas going the opposite and locking down the center position with Michigan's Aday Mara.
"With Victor Wembanyama to the south and Chet Holmgren to the north, Dallas might cave to the pressure and snag this draft's tallest tower," David Cobb writes. "With a 7-foot-6 wingspan and a standing reach of nearly 10 feet, Mara is an elite rim protector and interior finisher."
Dallas currently has Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford at the center position. That might look solid on paper, but both of those guys have dealt with a number of injuries the past couple years, so the Mavs may need some reassurance in the middle.
And that is where a guy like Mara could come in.
In a league increasingly dominated by talented big men, the Mavericks could see value in adding a player capable of protecting the paint at a high level. Mara emerged as one of college basketball's top defensive players during his time at Michigan, using his length and instincts to alter shots and control the glass.
He also was solid on the offensive side, averaging 12 points per game on 67 percent shooting from the field. But it was his rebounding numbers and impressive 2.6 blocks per game that really got scout's eyes on him.
What's particularly interesting about this projection is that it goes against a trend seen in many other mock drafts.
Throughout much of the pre-draft process, Dallas has frequently been connected to guards. That line of thinking is easy to understand.
While Cooper Flagg is expected to be the franchise's cornerstone moving forward, the Mavericks still have questions about their long-term backcourt outlook. Kyrie Irving remains a star, but at this stage of his career, finding another young playmaker to grow alongside Flagg is a reasonable priority.
Mara represents a different approach.
If the Michigan big man continues his rise up draft boards, Dallas may have a decision to make. The need for a guard is understandable, but adding a potential defensive anchor next to Cooper Flagg could be just as appealing as the Mavericks continue shaping their future.
