As the NBA draft is less than two weeks away, the Dallas Mavericks and Atlanta Hawks have officially made it known they are willing to listen to offers for their picks, according to NBA Insider Jake Fischer.
2 NBA Lottery Teams Looking to Play “Let’s Make A Deal” Before 2026 Draft
It shouldn’t be a huge surprise that either Dallas or Atlanta is interested in trading their draft pick. Both the Mavericks and Hawks own two first-round picks. However, the teams appear to be “open for business” for different reasons.
Dallas seems to be in rebuild mode. The Mavericks, who surprisingly won the draft lottery last season, have a new basketball boss in Masai Ujiri, though they still don’t have a head coach. The Mavs went 26-56 this past season, tying the New Orleans Pelicans for the eighth-worst record in the league. It marked the third time in the last four campaigns that the Mavs missed the playoffs and their worst season since 2017-18.
Mavericks Plans
Dallas has 11 players under contract for 2026-27 with a salary cap hit of $152 million. Thus, giving the Mavericks nearly $13 million in cap space. Ryan Nembhard is the only one of the 11 players not to be assured a spot, as the 23-year-old has a team option that figures to be exercised.
The Mavericks, who plan to build around 2026 Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg, figure to move on from several veterans. Kyrie Irving has been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers and Detroit Pistons among several other teams. PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford‘s names have also been thrown around in the rumor mill this summer. Naji Marshall is also a trade candidate.
“The Mavericks still have a long journey ahead of them to make it back to title contention,” Yossi Gozlan of Third Apron said. “They have a strong collection of role players but no other young cornerstone that fits Flagg’s timeline. They will have an opportunity to get that with the 9th overall pick, but after that, they don’t have control of their draft for the next four years. They’ll have the challenge of figuring out ways to bring in more young talent while trying to be competitive with no incentive to bottom out.”
Dallas holds three draft picks in this June’s upcoming draft: No. 9, No. 30, and No. 48. The Mavericks also have three trade exceptions that don’t expire until February 4, including a $20.8 million one as a result of the Anthony Davis trade. The Mavs will also have the mid-level nontax payer exemption and biannual exemption at their disposal. However, they only guaranteed five first-round picks from 2027 to 2032 and four second-round picks.
The Mavs Could Move Off the No. 9 pick.
Part of the Mavericks’ rebuilding plan likely involves replenishing their draft capital. The Mavs could kick-start the process by trading the No. 9 pick, as Fischer said that the Mavs are open to trading up or down.
“Sources say that the Mavericks have told rival teams that they are very much open to trades in either direction with their No. 9 pick,” Fischer wrote.
Why would the Mavs be willing to move off the No. 9 pick? While the No. 9 pick has value, it doesn’t guarantee them a star even in a loaded draft. In essence, the Mavs have four options: three involve trades, while the other is to stay put.
Dallas could move up a few spots to take Darius Acuff Jr., whom the Mavericks reportedly really want. However, Fischer added that the few teams immediately in front of them don’t intend to trade down: LA Clippers (No. 5), Brooklyn (No. 6), Sacramento (No. 7), and Atlanta (No. 8).
So, it seems the most likely scenario is that if the Mavs are going to move the pick, they will have to move down. The Oklahoma City Thunder are a potential trade partner, as reports indicate they don’t want to use both of their first-round selections (No. 12 and No. 17).
The Mavericks could also trade down for a veteran and future first-round pick or use the pick as part of a package for a star — which seems highly unlikely. However, HoopHype’s Michael Scotto reported a couple of days ago that New Orleans is looking to trade into the lottery.
“After trading into the lottery last year to select Derik Queen, the New Orleans Pelicans are trying to trade into the lottery again in the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft, league sources told HoopsHype,” Scotto said. “The Pelicans are believed to be targeting a specific player in the top-10 range.”
So, could the Mavericks land Herb Jones or Trey Murphy III? What could a trade look like?
Mavericks-Pelicans Potential Deal
Mavs Receive
Trey Murphy III
Pelicans Receive
No. 9 Pick
No. 30 Pick
2028 First Round Pick
Trade Exception
Or
Mavs Receive
Herb Jones
Yves Missi
Pelicans Receive
No. 9 Pick
2028 First-Round Pick
Daniel Gafford
The Hawks Plan
While Dallas is in a rebuild, Atlanta is looking to build off its best season in a decade. The Hawks finished sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 46-36 record as Jalen Johnson developed into an all-star and Nickeil Alexander-Walker produced a career season. Onyeka Okongwu had a productive season, and Dyson Daniels was selected to the All- NBA Defensive Team for a second straight year. It was the Hawks’ most wins in a decade.
Atlanta has 10 players under contract with a salary cap hit of $153 million. Thus, leaving the Hawks around $13 million below the tax line. Jonathan Kuminga has a $24.3 million club option, though there were reports before the conclusion of the year that the 23-year-old would decline his option and work out a longer deal with the club. Thus, saving the Hawks some cap space this year.
Mouhamed Guye also has a team option ($2.4 million) and is expected to return. Meanwhile, Buddy Hield has a partially guaranteed deal ($3 million of $9.6 million). Hield’s deal becomes fully guaranteed on June 25. So, the Hawks have some flexibility.
The Hawks are expected to be active on the free agent market. The Hawks have said they plan to re-sign CJ McCollum, who is an unrestricted free agent.
“While Atlanta wants to re-sign veteran guard CJ McCollum in free agency, according to league sources, the 13-year veteran turns 35 in September, and the Hawks could use depth at point guard,” Scotto said in an article earlier this offseason.
In addition to the No. 8 pick, the Hawks own the No. 23 and the No. 57 selections. They have five trade exceptions, two of which expire before the season, and the non-taxpayer mid-level exemption and bi-annual exception.
What Do The Hawks Need and 2026 Draft Picks
The Hawks’ primary goal this offseason, besides working out deals with Kuminga and McCollum, should be to add depth and backcourt depth. In that sense, Scotto reported that rival execs expect to select a point guard — Keaton Wagler, Mikel Brown Jr., Acuff, or Kingston Flemings — or a center, Aday Mara, with the No. 8 pick.
The Hawks acquired the No. 8 pick from the Pelicans in the Queen trade at last year’s draft. So, it is no surprise that the Hawks aren’t interested in moving it. However, the Hawks could move off the No. 23 pick.
“League sources say Atlanta has informed rival teams it will happily field offers for No. 23,” Fischer noted.
David Bank, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
