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Mavericks Draft Michigan’s Aday Mara After Hiring Dusty May as Coach

New Mavericks coach Dusty May, formerly of Michigan, brings Wolverines star Aday Mara to Dallas in Dallas.

CBS Sports·Jun 22, 2026·via CBS Sports

Mavericks Draft Michigan’s Aday Mara After Hiring Dusty May as Coach

On the eve of the 2026 NBA Draft, we got some drama when the Dallas Mavericks reportedly hired their next coach: Michigan's Dusty May. During his two seasons with the Wolverines, May transformed the program back into a national powerhouse and helped Michigan win the national title this season.

With May set to take over Dallas, all eyes turn to what the Mavericks will do with the No. 9 pick on Tuesday night. According to NBA insider Marc Stein , there have been talks about the Mavericks trading down with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Oklahoma City owns picks No. 12 and 17 in the first round.

If Dallas sticks at No. 9, it will likely have a great opportunity to draft a former Michigan player whom May coached last season. One who makes sense -- and is projected to go to Dallas in this mock -- is Aday Mara. Mara, who transferred from UCLA to Michigan last season, was one of the best shot blockers in college basketball and would add defense next to former No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg.

Mavericks hiring Dusty May away from Michigan in basketball stunner David Cobb

If Mara is off the board, Dallas could also consider Yaxel Lendeborg or Morez Johnson Jr. That trio of Lendeborg, Johnson and Mara wore down opposing teams during the NCAA Tournament and helped the Wolverines complete a dominant run.

In this mock draft, we touch on Dallas drafting Mara, the Milwaukee Bucks picking up an extra first-round pick (13) after trading Giannis Antetokounmpo (in a mock trade) to the Miami Heat and the Minnesota Timberwolves moving up 10 spots to secure Alabama star Labaron Philon Jr.

Let's dive in!

Mock Draft Round 1

Round 1 - Pick 1

Darryn Peterson

Kansas

• Fr • 6'5" / 200 lbs

Projected Team

Washington

PROSPECT RNK

2nd

POSITION RNK

1st

PPG

20.2

RPG

4.2

APG

1.6

3P%

38.2%

This pick should come down to Peterson or Dybantsa. The Wizards can't go wrong with either prospect. Like I've said for the last calendar year, I strongly believe that Peterson is the best player in the class. It might be a shocker to some if Peterson goes here, but I personally think he is a better fit in Washington than Utah.

Round 1 - Pick 2

AJ Dybantsa

BYU

• Fr • 6'9" / 217 lbs

Projected Team

Utah

PROSPECT RNK

1st

POSITION RNK

1st

PPG

25.5

RPG

6.8

APG

3.7

3P%

33.1%

The Jazz would have their vision fulfilled when Dybantsa arrived to the state of Utah as a high school senior at Utah Prep if he is available here. If Peterson is off the board, Dybantsa would be the most logical pick at 2. It's hard to see Utah passing on him.

Round 1 - Pick 3

Cameron Boozer

Duke

• Fr • 6'8" / 250 lbs

Projected Team

Memphis

PROSPECT RNK

3rd

POSITION RNK

1st

PPG

22.5

RPG

10.2

APG

4.1

3P%

39.1%

Boozer had one of the best one-and-done seasons in college basketball history at Duke and would add playmaking, rebounding and scoring to Memphis. Boozer has almost become underrated this draft cycle. He would be the clear-cut No. 1 pick in most draft classes.

Round 1 - Pick 4

Caleb Wilson

North Carolina

• Fr • 6'9" / 210 lbs

Projected Team

Chicago

PROSPECT RNK

4th

POSITION RNK

2nd

PPG

19.8

RPG

9.4

APG

2.7

3P%

25.9%

The Bulls have the easiest decision to make on draft night. Whatever prospect of the "Big Four" is available, that's the pick. Wilson to Chicago seems like one of the most likely pairings on draft night. Wilson has untapped potential on the offensive end of the floor and would add athleticism and defense to a franchise looking for a 1A-type player.

From Indiana Pacers Round 1 - Pick 5

Keaton Wagler

Illinois

• Fr • 6'5" / 188 lbs

Projected Team

L.A. Clippers

PROSPECT RNK

5th

POSITION RNK

2nd

PPG

17.9

RPG

5.1

APG

4.2

3P%

39.7%

For me, this is where the draft starts. The Clippers can swing the draft by taking any of the point guards projected in this range. In this mock, the Clippers take Wagler, who led Illinois to the Final Four as a freshman. This is also the spot where the first big trade of the night could happen if the Clippers are confident someone like Brayden Burries would be there in the later portion of the lottery.

Round 1 - Pick 6

Mikel Brown Jr.

Louisville

• Fr • 6'4" / 190 lbs

Projected Team

Brooklyn

PROSPECT RNK

8th

POSITION RNK

5th

PPG

18.2

RPG

3.3

APG

4.7

3P%

34.4%

Brown missed time at Louisville last season due to a back injury. If he's healthy and the medicals are clean, he has a chance to be the best point guard in this draft. Brooklyn needs talent after having a lackluster draft despite making five first round picks last summer. Brown checks those boxes.

Round 1 - Pick 7

Darius Acuff Jr.

Arkansas

• Fr • 6'2" / 185 lbs

Projected Team

Sacramento

PROSPECT RNK

6th

POSITION RNK

3rd

PPG

23.5

RPG

3.1

APG

6.4

3P%

44%

The worst kept secret in the NBA Draft is the Kings admiration for Acuff. Kings general manager Scott Perry coached his father in the 1990s when he was the coach at Eastern Kentucky. Acuff, in my opinion, is the best true point guard in the draft. He can be an offensive engine in the NBA. That's exactly what Sacramento needs. There has been a lot of talk about Sacramento potentially trading up to secure Acuff. I'll believe it when I see it.

From New Orleans Pelicans Round 1 - Pick 8

Kingston Flemings

Houston

• Fr • 6'3" / 183 lbs

Projected Team

Atlanta

PROSPECT RNK

7th

POSITION RNK

4th

PPG

16.1

RPG

4.1

APG

5.2

3P%

38.7%

The Hawks, in this scenario, will likely be deciding between Mara or Flemings. In this mock, the Hawks take Flemings, who can be an immediate two-way impact as a rookie.

Round 1 - Pick 9

Aday Mara

Michigan

• Jr • 7'3" / 260 lbs

Projected Team

Dallas

PROSPECT RNK

11th

POSITION RNK

1st

PPG

12.1

RPG

6.8

APG

2.4

3P%

30%

Any of the players from Michigan's frontcourt would be a natural fit with Dallas. The one that intrigues me the most is Mara going to Oklahoma City. Yes, Dallas has a log-jam already at the center position with Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively III, but Mara's fit with Dallas makes a ton of sense. Mara was one of the best shot blockers in college basketball and was the defensive anchor of Michigan's national title team. He is a unique prospect because of his skill set as a 7-foot-3 big man without shoes. If he can develop as a shooter – or at least a threat as a pick-and-pop option, it would do wonders for his game.

Round 1 - Pick 10

Nate Ament

Tennessee

• Fr • 6'10" / 211 lbs

Projected Team

Milwaukee

PROSPECT RNK

10th

POSITION RNK

3rd

PPG

16.7

RPG

6.3

APG

2.3

3P%

33.3%

In this mock draft, we projected Giannis to be traded to the Heat. The Bucks own this pick already and use it to draft Ament, who is one of the biggest boom-or-bust prospects in the class. Ament showed signs of improvement throughout his freshman season at Tennessee but there are question marks about his efficiency after shooting less than 40% from the field last season.

Round 1 - Pick 11

Yaxel Lendeborg

Michigan

• Sr • 6'9" / 241 lbs

Projected Team

Golden St.

PROSPECT RNK

12th

POSITION RNK

4th

PPG

15.1

RPG

6.8

APG

3.2

3P%

37.2%

In my last mock draft, I had the Warriors taking Morez Johnson Jr. In this one, I have Golden State taking his frontcourt mate, Yaxel Lendeborg. Lendeborg, in my opinion, is a clear-cut top 10 player in the class. Yes, there are concerns about his draft age but he is exactly the kind of player Golden State should be targeting in the draft.

From Los Angeles Clippers Round 1 - Pick 12

Brayden Burries

Arizona

• Fr • 6'4" / 215 lbs

Projected Team

Oklahoma City

PROSPECT RNK

9th

POSITION RNK

1st

PPG

16.1

RPG

4.9

APG

2.4

3P%

39.1%

The Thunder have an abundance of riches in their rotation. If the Thunder stick at No. 12, one option that makes sense is Burries. He is a versatile guard who can shoot, rebound and defend. That's exactly the kind of player OKC tends to target.

Mock Trade from Miami Heat Round 1 - Pick 13

Hannes Steinbach

Washington

• Fr • 6'10" / 248 lbs

Projected Team

Milwaukee

PROSPECT RNK

16th

POSITION RNK

6th

PPG

18.5

RPG

11.8

APG

1.6

3P%

34%

Another trade! The Bucks use their second first-round pick (after trading Giannis away in this mock trade) to draft a center of the future. Steinbach has some of the best hands in college basketball and was a double-double machine during his time at Washington.

Round 1 - Pick 14

Morez Johnson Jr.

Michigan

• Soph • 6'9" / 250 lbs

Projected Team

Charlotte

PROSPECT RNK

17th

POSITION RNK

7th

PPG

13.1

RPG

7.3

APG

1.2

3P%

34.3%

The Hornets appear to be in the center market this offseason. Although Johnson isn't a center, he would add size and versatility to Charlotte's frontcourt. Johnson exploits mismatches on offense and can guard multiple positions on the defensive end of the floor.

From Portland Trail Blazers Round 1 - Pick 15

Cameron Carr

Baylor

• Soph • 6'5" / 184 lbs

Projected Team

Chicago

PROSPECT RNK

20th

POSITION RNK

2nd

PPG

18.9

RPG

5.8

APG

2.6

3P%

37.4%

After playing just 41 minutes total last season at Tennessee, Carr transferred to Baylor, where he blossomed into the Bears' leading scorer. He averaged 18.9 points on 49.4/37.4/80.1 shooting splits. His offensive upside is worth the swing here.

From Phoenix Suns Round 1 - Pick 16

Christian Anderson

Texas Tech

• Soph • 6'1" / 180 lbs

Projected Team

Memphis

PROSPECT RNK

21st

POSITION RNK

8th

PPG

18.5

RPG

3.6

APG

7.4

3P%

41.5%

After taking a forward at pick No. 3, the Grizzlies take their point guard of the future. Anderson is one of the best shooters in the class. Sixty-five of Anderson's 108 3-point shots were non-catch-and-shoot makes, which showcases his ability to create his own shot. This is a spot where you would imagine teams call Memphis to gauge a trade down opportunity.

From Philadelphia 76ers Round 1 - Pick 17

Karim Lopez

Mexico

• 6'8" / 222 lbs

Projected Team

Oklahoma City

PROSPECT RNK

15th

POSITION RNK

5th

PPG

11.9

RPG

6.1

APG

2.0

3P%

32.6%

Lopez is the only International player I've had in all my mocks. The International class just isn't as deep as previous seasons. Lopez's draft range appears to be somewhere in the late lottery or the early 20s.

Mock Trade from Charlotte Hornets Round 1 - Pick 18

Labaron Philon

Alabama

• Fr • 6'3" / 175 lbs

Projected Team

Minnesota

PROSPECT RNK

14th

POSITION RNK

6th

PPG

RPG

3.5

APG

3P%

39.9%

Another trade! It was reported earlier this week that Philon conducted a visit with Minnesota, which is interesting because the lone pick Minnesota holds is at No. 28 and the Alabama star is projected to be off the board before then. If Minnesota is confident in Philon, it would be logical to see them trade up for him. Two years ago, the Timberwolves were aggressive in the draft and traded two picks to move up to No. 8 to draft Rob Dillingham. That experiment didn't work out, but maybe this one will.

Round 1 - Pick 19

Ebuka Okorie

Stanford

• Fr • 6'1" / 185 lbs