Dallas Has Two First Round Picks and No Coach Yet. The Clock Is Ticking.

The Dallas Mavericks are running out of time to get their house in order. With the 2026 NBA Draft less than a week away, the franchise still doesn’t have a head coach and is reportedly weighing multiple trade scenarios involving their two first round selections.

Marc Stein reported Saturday that the Mavs are closing in on a decision at head coach while also actively exploring trade options ahead of Tuesday’s draft at Barclays Center. Dallas holds picks No. 9 and No. 30, and those assets are being dangled in conversations around the league.

This is a franchise that’s been in flux since the Luka Doncic trade cratered their 2025-26 season. They finished near the bottom of the West. They parted ways with general manager Nico Harrison. And now they’re trying to hire a coach and reshape the roster at the same time, which is a lot of moving parts for any front office.

Two picks, one plan

The Mavericks could go a few ways here. They could keep both picks and try to inject young talent into a roster that badly needs it. Or they could package one or both selections in a trade to land a proven player. League sources told Stein the team is actively exploring both paths.

Having multiple first rounders gives Dallas flexibility. But it also creates pressure. The wrong move could set them back even further in a loaded Western Conference where teams like Oklahoma City and Houston are already ahead of schedule in their rebuilds.

Coaching search enters final stretch

Stein’s report says the Mavericks are “progressing toward a conclusion” on the coaching hire. That’s a good sign for a fanbase that’s been waiting weeks for clarity. The team needs someone who can command the locker room and develop whatever roster ends up taking the floor next season.

No names have been confirmed yet. But the fact that Dallas is still searching this late into June tells you they’re being deliberate, not just rushing to fill a seat.

The draft is Tuesday. Free agency follows soon after. The Mavericks don’t have the luxury of taking their time on any of these decisions. They’re trying to dig out of a hole, and the next week will tell us a lot about whether they know how to use the shovel.