Dallas eyes an explosive backcourt partner with elite defensive upside, as the polished Houston playmaker emerges as a versatile two-way fit to complement the franchise’s future core.
The Dallas Mavericks may already have one franchise cornerstone in place, but another explosive young guard could eventually become the perfect backcourt piece to grow alongside the team’s future.
In the most recent mock draft from Heavy.com before Sunday's NBA draft lottery, they had Dallas picking at No. 8, as they only have a 6.8 percent chance at the first pick. That being said, their chance last year was even less at just 1.8 percent.
But even if they don't get that No. 1 overall pick, this mock draft still has them getting an incredible player in star Houston point guard Kingston Flemings.
"He’s not a prototypical NBA point guard, in that his game relies on downhill speed and midrange jumpers," Sean Deveney of Heavy.com writes. "But Flemings is a good shooter who can develop his 3-ball and has high defensive upside. He’s smart and polished, probably an ideal long-term running mate for Cooper Flagg."
Flemings has emerged as one of the most intriguing guards in the 2026 NBA Draft class thanks to his combination of scoring ability, defensive toughness, and high basketball IQ.
For Dallas, the appeal starts with versatility.
Flemings has shown the ability to impact games both on and off the ball. He can create offense for himself, knock down perimeter shots, and pressure opposing ball handlers defensively. That type of all-around skill set fits well with what the Mavericks may eventually need around their franchise stars.
In his lone season with the Cougars, Flemings averaged 16 points, five assists, and four rebounds, as well as one and a half steals. He was also able to do all of that while shooting 47 percent from the field and just under 39 percent form beyond the arc.
Offensively, he may not enter the NBA with the same hype as some of the higher-volume scoring guards in this draft class, but his well-rounded approach could make him an ideal fit for Dallas. The Mavs would not necessarily need him to become a superstar, because they have already got that. Instead, he could grow into the kind of reliable two-way contributor every contender needs.
There is still plenty of time before the 2026 NBA Draft order becomes official, and projections will continue to change throughout the process. Still, Flemings already looks like the type of prospect the Mavericks could seriously value if they want a smart, dependable guard.