NBA Draft: Have Mavs Narrowed Their First-Round Targets At No. 30 To Four Names?

DALLAS — The Dallas Mavs own the ninth and 30th overall picks in the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft.

Frankly, picking at No. 9 is enough of a crapshot, an educated guess.

And so logically, picking at No. 30 - not to mention predicting that pick - represents even more of a wild card.

The idea at No. 9, as stated by new Mavs management, is to select a "difference-maker'' who can complement reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg.

And the idea at No. 30? Maybe it's about finding somebody with just one or two traits that might translate to the NBA. and whoever Dallas selects with the ninth pick.

Our friends at DallasHoopsJournal have done some legwork, and some brainwork, on the subject of that pick No. 30, and they've come up with four names we believe are worth targeting. To wit ... 

Evans is a 6-foot-6 sophomore with a slight frame but with skills as a 3-point marksman. He’s certainly got some pedigree given that he excelled at Duke - as did Flagg before him.

Can he handle the ball? Or play defense? We're dubious about that. But as we said above, you're looking for "one-trait'' guys at this point.

Evans can shoot it.

Jefferson is 22, so is an older prospect that some. We don't consider that much of an issue; we're more interested in the way he filled boxscores in college, where this season at Iowa State he averaged 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists.

Jefferson isn't a pure shooter but he is 6-8 and has playmaking skills.

Want "older''? Karaban is going to turn 24 in the fall. Want credentials? He's a two-time NCAA champion - a "winner,'' in shorthand.

He lacks athleticism but at 6-8, 230, he has an NBA frame.

DallasHoopsJournal calls the 6-6 De Larrea a "jumbo playmaking guard'' ... and we know the Mavs are keen on such a thing.

And can he shoot it? Last season with Valencia of Liga ACB, he connected on 40.7 percent of his shots from the arc.

One consideration here is patience. De Larrea could get drafted and yet stay with his present team for two more seasons. If the Mavs are interested in building for the long haul, that idea doesn't hurt his chances here.