Cooper Flagg Just Got His New Running Mate. Here’s How Dallas Drafted Around Him.

The Dallas Mavericks had a rough year. Twenty-six wins, 56 losses, tied for 11th in the West. But a rough year in the NBA often means a bright future, and the Mavs already have their centerpiece in Cooper Flagg. The No. 1 pick from 2025 just won Rookie of the Year after averaging 21 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists. He shot nearly 47 percent from the floor and 83 percent from the line. He made the All-Rookie team. He looks like the real deal.

So now the question is who you put around him. The Mavs hired his college coach, Dusty May, who just won a national title at Michigan. And in the 2026 draft, they went out and got a prospect who fits Flagg like a glove. Let’s break down every pick.

Round 1, Pick 9: Morez Johnson, Power Forward

The pre-draft chatter had Michigan maybe sending three guys in the first round. Aday Mara at 7-3. Yaxel Lendeborg. But Dallas went with Johnson, and it’s not hard to see why. He’s 6-9, 250 pounds, and he plays like his hair is on fire. He averaged 13.1 points and 7.3 rebounds as a starter at Michigan, but the numbers don’t tell the whole story.

Johnson is a defensive monster. He can switch onto guards, bang with bigs, and he crashes the offensive glass like he’s got a personal vendetta. He said it himself: “I would say my motor is unbelievable. Competitive. I can guard 1 through 5.”

Mavs GM Mike Schmitz isn’t putting a cap on him either. “I wouldn’t put a ceiling on a 20-year-old who has that rate of improvement,” Schmitz said. “To go from a young freshman to then transferring and having this type of impact already at that age. To have that tenacious mentality on the offensive glass. Just to see that rate of improvement signals there is more growth ahead on the offensive end.”

Grade: B-plus

Round 1, Pick 25: Sergio De Larrea, Guard (Spain)

This one came via trade with the Lakers. De Larrea is 6-5, quick, athletic, and he can handle the ball. He’s a solid shooter but he prefers to create for others, which is exactly what Dallas needs next to Flagg. He takes defense seriously too. The question is when he’ll be ready to play consistent minutes. Probably needs a year, but he’s got the tools to eventually crack May’s rotation.

Grade: C-plus

Round 2, Pick 48: Tobi Lawal, Forward (Virginia Tech)

Lawal is a project. He’s 6-8, 215 pounds, and he’s an incredible athlete. But his offensive game is raw. He can dunk. He can finish around the rim. But if he ever develops a mid-range jumper, he could be a real find. For now, he’s a defensive energy guy with a lot of work ahead.

Grade: C-plus

Round 2, Pick 26: Vsevolod Ischenko, Guard (Russia)

Another Lakers pick that Dallas grabbed in a trade. Ischenko shot 50 percent from the field and 45 percent from three in VTB United last season. He won the league’s Young Player of the Year award. He’s a bit of a sleeper, but shooting like that gives him a real chance to make an impact at the NBA level.

Grade: B-minus

The Mavs didn’t hit a home run on every pick. But they added a legit two-way power forward who fits perfectly with Flagg, a couple of developmental guards, and a flier on a shooter. For a team that’s still rebuilding, that’s a solid start to the summer.