The Dallas Mavericks haven’t even officially introduced Dusty May as their new head coach, and already the draft chatter is zeroing in on one name: Aday Mara.
According to a mock draft from ClutchPoints, the 7-foot-3 Michigan center is the player most connected to Dallas with the ninth overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. That’s a sharp turn for Mara, who basically fell off the draft radar during his time at UCLA before transferring to Michigan and reviving his stock under May.
The connection is obvious. May coached Mara this past season at Michigan, where the Wolverines won a national title. Mara was a big part of that run. Now May is headed to the NBA, and the speculation is that he wants to bring his guy with him.
NBA insider Brett Siegel wrote that sources around the league immediately started linking Dallas to one of the three Michigan players in this draft class — Mara, Morez Johnson Jr., or Yaxel Lendeborg — as soon as the May hire broke. But Mara is the name that keeps coming up most.
And it makes sense. Mara went from a prospect who had people wondering if he’d even get drafted to someone who looks like a sure-thing lottery pick after one year under May. That’s the kind of development curve teams notice.
What Mara Brings to Dallas
Mara is a true center with size you can’t teach. He’s not just tall — he’s got touch around the rim, good hands, and a feel for the game that translates. At Michigan this season, he averaged 15 points, 9 rebounds, and just under 3 blocks per game while shooting over 60% from the field. Those are lottery-pick numbers.
The Mavs have needs everywhere after a rough season, but they’re especially thin up front. Dereck Lively II is the only young big man they’re really invested in. Adding Mara would give them a second theoretical centerpiece in the frontcourt, someone who can grow alongside Lively and maybe even play next to him in certain lineups.
May knows exactly what he’s getting. He’s the one who turned Mara into a first-round prospect in the first place. That kind of trust matters on draft night.
Of course, the draft isn’t until Tuesday night, and a lot can change. Other teams might jump ahead of Dallas or make offers the Mavs can’t refuse. But if you’re looking for a betting line on who ends up in a Mavericks jersey, Mara is the smart money right now.
More updates as we get closer to draft night.
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