A dream mock draft lands the Mavericks the No. 1 pick and elite prospect AJ Dybantsa, potentially reshaping their future instantly.
The Dallas Mavericks aren’t guaranteed anything when it comes to the NBA Draft Lottery—but in one recent mock scenario, everything breaks their way.
In Bleacher Report’s latest 2026 mock draft simulation, the Mavericks vault up to the No. 1 overall pick and select elite wing prospect AJ Dybantsa. It’s not a prediction of what will happen, but rather a glimpse into what could happen if lottery luck swings the way of Dallas once again.
"A second consecutive No. 1 pick for the Mavericks? Let the conspiracy theories fly, folks," BR's Zach Buckley writes. "Between 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"
At 6-9 with smooth athleticism and advanced scoring instincts, he projects as the kind of modern NBA wing every team covets. He can create his own shot, finish through contact, and defend multiple positions, giving him the profile of a potential franchise cornerstone.
And the Mavericks have already got one of those.
Adding a player like Dybantsa would instantly reshape the Mavericks’ long-term outlook. Instead of patching holes or chasing short-term fixes for the time being around Cooper Flagg, the front office would have the opportunity to build around a high-upside core. A pairing with Coop would give Dallas two versatile forwards capable of growing together and anchoring both ends of the floor.
Of course, reality is far less predictable. The lottery system is designed to prevent certainty, and Dallas would need a significant jump in the odds to actually secure the top pick. There are no guarantees, and plenty of teams will be hoping for the same outcome.
But the Mavericks defied the odds just this past draft in order to draft Flagg, as they had just a 1.8 percent chance to get the number one pick in 2025.
For now, it remains hypothetical. But if the Mavericks do hear their name called when it comes time to announce the winner of the lottery, a player like Dybantsa could propel the Mavs way higher than they thought they would be next season.