Mavs Trade With Knicks For Spanish Star Sergio De Larrea Via NBA Draft; What's Dallas Getting?

BROOKLYN — The first major decision of the Masai Ujiri era in Dallas came earlier in the night. His second could prove just as important.

After using the ninth-overall pick to select Michigan’s Morez Johnson Jr., the Dallas Mavericks rounded out the first round decision-making in the 2026 NBA Draft by passing on making a pick at No. 30, opting instead to trade around ... hopefully as a way to help a rapidly evolving core built around Cooper Flagg.

What did Dallas do here?

It turns out this is going to be a three-way deal that reportedly nets Dallas the Spanish star Sergio De Larrea,

Via ESPN: "Sources: New York traded No. 25 pick Sergio De Larrea to the Dallas Mavericks for No. 30 Koa Peat and two second-round picks. And then the Knicks traded Peat to the Phoenix Suns for three-rounders and cash. So Knicks move out of the first round -- pick up 3 seconds and cash.''

Who is De Larrea?

A 6-5 forward from Spain, he averaged 9.7 points, three rebounds and just over three assists in only 18 minutes per game. Per 36 minutes, he's averaging a healthy 19.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 7.3 assists.

That's major playmaking ability, even if its just an introductory sample size.

Now 20, he was named Liga ACB Best Young Player in 2026 and he has played professionally since the age of 17.

READ MORE: Dallas Mavericks Hire Dusty May to Lead Cooper Flagg Era 

The Mavericks will be moving an assortment of second-rounders to complete the shuffle. ... and we will monitor to find out of Dallas might be planning on stashing De Larrea.

Meanwhile, Dallas landed its potential long-term running mate for Flagg with Johnson at No. 9.

May has built his reputation on maximizing young talent, and that surely applies to Johnson, who he coached in Ann Arbor.

After helping guide Michigan to its first National Title since 1989, May will look to unlock the youngsters on this roster as Dallas looks to balance immediate expectations with long-term growth.

READ MORE: Mavs' Dusty May Makes NBA Jump After 'Frustrating' Time at Michigan

Now entering the 2026-27 campaign with high expectations in year two of the Flagg era, the reigning Rookie of the Year will look to guide the franchise back to the postseason for the first time since the Luka Doncic trade while playing alongside Kyrie Irving, Johnson and the rest of Dallas' retooled core under May's tutelage.

The Mavericks' return to contention will ultimately be determined by their stars — but Ujiri's ability to identify contributors beyond the top of the draft could prove just as important in shaping Dallas' next chapter.