An interesting nugget from a college basketball insider says there's a prospect who could be forcing his way to being drafted by the Dallas Mavericks.
It's not uncommon for agents of NBA Draft prospects to help their client maneuver through the pre-draft process in a way that suggests where their preferred destination is.
Players can recognize what team may or may not fit their skillset the best, but ultimately, it's the team's decision to draft a prospect it wants if he's available.
For the Dallas Mavericks, both of these things could be in play as new team president Masai Ujiri and staff scout for the No. 9 pick.
Top Guard Prospect 'Forcing His Way' to Dallas?
According to CBS Sports college basketball reporter Adam Finkelstein, there is "growing evidence" that Arizona guard Brayden Burries prefers to be drafted by the Mavs.
"The interesting thing is that so far he hasn’t taken a lot of workouts," Finkelstein said. "There are teams higher in the lottery that would be interested in working Burries out, and yet there’s growing speculation that maybe he might prefer Dallas...
"I think there is a lot of momentum with Brayden Burries and the Dallas Mavericks."
Yahoo!'s Kevin O'Connor reiterated the point, and noted how Burries is represented by one of the most prominent names in the sport: Rich Paul.
︀︀"Adam Finkelstein of CBS Sports reported that Burries hasn't taken many workouts and there is speculation that he's trying to angle his way to Dallas," said O'Connor. "I also have heard that same chatter, which is why he lands here.
"To add some more color to that reporting: Burries is represented by Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, who steered Dereck Lively to the Mavericks with the 12th pick in the 2023 draft, even though some teams picking higher wanted to select Lively."
Lively has certainly been a success, when he's been healthy, though his rookie contract in Dallas. The organization may be interested in continuing to build a core of Paul's clients, because even though this is new Mavericks leadership, Finkelstein added that the agent and Ujiri have "very clear working relationship" from their previous meetings around the league.
How Burries Fits with Cooper Flagg & Kyrie Irving
There's a reason why Burries might have fallen in love with his projected fit in Dallas.
First, he becomes the immediate running mate of Cooper Flagg, the team's next superstar and franchise centerpiece. For a lottery pick like Burries, who doesn't scream star-power like some of his peers, this pressure lifted from his new home by already having that alpha dog could do wonders for his rookie confidence.
Burries profiles as a perfect off-ball complement to space the floor for Kyrie Irving, the Mavs' veteran point guard who will be back at the controls in 2026-27 after last year with injury.
With the Wildcats, Burries averaged 16.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 49.1 percent overall and 39.1 percent from 3-point range. He also brings a strong, natural perimeter defense that the Mavs' lacked in the backcourt last season.
Burries' stock might be falling into place nicely for Dallas to make him the No. 9 pick, especially with other guards' projections, such as Darius Acuff Jr. and Keaton Wagler, continuing to rise.
It sounds like Burries would be interested in that, too.
