Dallas Mavericks
Needs: Point guard, three-point shooting
Picks: 9, 30, 48
The Dallas Mavericks have their franchise cornerstone in Cooper Flagg, and finding a player of that caliber is the hardest part of building a championship contender. Flagg delivered a tremendous rookie season, averaging 21 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists while earning Rookie of the Year honors. More importantly, he established himself as one of the NBA’s elite young talents. There are very few players in the league that you would choose to start a franchise around ahead of Flagg, and at just the beginning of his career, he already looks capable of leading the Mavericks for the next decade. His combination of scoring, playmaking, defensive versatility, competitiveness, and overall feel for the game gives Dallas a player who can impact winning in virtually every area. With Kyrie Irving returning from injury and entering the later stages of his career, the Mavericks must continue building around Flagg and identifying long-term pieces that fit alongside him.
With the ninth pick, there is a realistic chance one of the top guards could still be available. It seems unlikely that Darius Acuff or Mikel Brown slide that far, and Dallas would likely sprint to the podium for either player. More realistic possibilities include Brayden Burries, Kingston Flemings, or Keaton Wagler. Wagler could ultimately develop into more of a combo guard than a true point guard, but pairing him alongside Irving for a couple of seasons could create a dynamic backcourt. Dallas could also look to add additional shooting and secondary playmaking around Flagg. The Mavericks have enough talent to remain competitive, but the front office should be focused on maximizing the years ahead rather than simply chasing short-term results.
The Mavericks may also explore moving Klay Thompson this offseason, and it will be interesting to see how much emphasis they place on potentially retaining Khris Middleton. This still feels like something of a transition year as Dallas continues surrounding Flagg with the talent needed to maximize what could become one of the league’s brightest futures. The good news is that finding a franchise player is the hardest part of team building, and Dallas has already accomplished that. Now the challenge becomes putting the right supporting cast around him. If one of the top guards unexpectedly slides to ninth, the Mavericks could find themselves in position to add another foundational piece to grow alongside Flagg for years to come.
Houston Rockets
Needs: True point guard, re-sign Tari Eason
Picks: 39, 53
The Houston Rockets had to adapt last season. Fred VanVleet missed significant time due to injury, leaving the team short on point guards. The Rockets were not yet ready to hand the keys to former third-overall pick Reed Sheppard, so much of the playmaking burden fell to Amen Thompson, who is not a traditional point guard. That created challenges. Opponents struggled to match Houston’s size and athleticism, but the team often lacked a true floor general capable of consistently creating quality opportunities for teammates. Alperen Sengun helps offset some of that through his own playmaking ability, but the current roster construction does not always maximize his strengths.
Speaking of versatile players, the Rockets cannot afford to lose Tari Eason in restricted free agency. He remains one of the team’s most valuable supporting pieces. With Kevin Durant nearing the end of his career, Houston is operating within a relatively short championship window. While VanVleet may still be the answer at point guard for now, it is difficult to view him as the piece that pushes the Rockets over the top. Whether Sheppard can eventually become that player remains an open question.
The Rockets need a true point guard capable of organizing their talented collection of wings and forwards. This roster often feels like a case where the whole is less than the sum of its parts. Unfortunately, Houston does not possess many expendable trade assets, and its first selection does not arrive until pick 39. Counting on a second-round pick to become an immediate difference-maker for a contender is rarely a reliable strategy. Houston has talent, depth, and versatility. What it lacks is the connective tissue needed to bring everything together.
Memphis Grizzlies
Needs: Ja Morant trade, a fresh start
Picks: 3, 16, 32
Just a few years ago, the Memphis Grizzlies’ young core looked promising. Fast forward to today, and Jaren Jackson Jr. has been traded to the Utah Jazz, Ja Morant hasn’t been the same since the 2022-23 season, battling injuries and a series of self-inflicted public missteps, Desmond Bane is with the Orlando Magic, and the team has dealt with an incredible amount of injuries. Now, it’s probably time for a fresh start. Morant isn’t as effective finishing at the rim as he once was and hasn’t improved his outside shooting enough to compensate. The team has Zach Edey, who has looked good when healthy, and they’ve found players such as Cedric Coward and GG Jackson in the draft, which gives them some pieces, but they still need foundational talent to build around.
With the third pick, they will likely be choosing between Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson. Safe money is on Boozer, the more accomplished player with NBA lineage. The hope will be that his inside-out ability to impact the game in multiple ways becomes the first major step toward building a contender. Boozer and Edey would form an intriguing frontcourt pairing, but the work would still be far from done, especially depending on what the organization can get in a potential Morant trade. They also own the 16th pick, and some intriguing options that could be available include Labaron Philon, Meleek Thomas, Isaiah Evans, Allen Graves, and Morez Johnson. Johnson would be a particularly interesting option if Memphis wants to continue building a young, physical frontcourt. His motor, rebounding, toughness, defensive versatility, and long-term upside could make him difficult to pass up if he is still on the board. Graves could also draw strong consideration given his versatility, efficiency, analytics profile, and ability to impact winning without needing a high-usage offensive role.
In terms of what to expect in a Morant trade: probably not as much as some fans hope. The situation appears strained, however, and a fresh start could benefit both sides. A player making over $40 million annually who has struggled with injuries, off-court issues, and declining efficiency is unlikely to command a massive return, but resetting the direction of the franchise may ultimately prove worthwhile. Memphis still has enough young talent to avoid a complete teardown, but the franchise needs a new centerpiece and a new direction. The third overall pick represents a significant opportunity to begin that process.
New Orleans Pelicans
Needs: Roster overhaul
Picks: 58
Oh boy, the New Orleans Pelicans are a mess right now. Zion Williamson is easily their best player, but his inability to consistently stay healthy, combined with limitations related to his height and lack of outside shooting, make him a difficult centerpiece around which to build a roster. Trey Murphy has developed into a very good complementary piece, but beyond that, the roster lacks clarity. Herbert Jones has regressed significantly, Dejounte Murray has struggled with injuries over the past two seasons, and while Yves Missi, Jeremiah Fears, and Derik Queen have all shown flashes, none currently project as franchise cornerstones. The decision to trade away what became the eighth pick in this draft in order to move up roughly ten spots and select Derik Queen was heavily criticized at the time, but it no longer looks quite as bad as it once did. Queen has developed into a productive young player and at least gives the organization another intriguing piece to evaluate moving forward.
Then there is Jordan Poole doing Jordan Poole things. The roster feels disjointed, with very few pieces fitting together in a coherent long-term vision. The Pelicans need to rebuild this group with a clear identity and purpose. At present, the one thing they consistently do well is generate shot attempts, though not necessarily make them. The organization must determine what it wants to be good at and begin constructing the roster accordingly. This is not a team that appears ready to contend anytime soon, making the next few seasons critical for establishing a stronger foundation.
The Pelicans do not own a pick until the end of the second round, but it would not be surprising to see them move some of their remaining assets either before or during the draft in an effort to acquire additional draft capital. This is a franchise that cannot afford to sit still if it hopes to significantly improve its long-term outlook. Whether that means moving veterans, exploring the market for Zion Williamson, or simply accumulating future assets, significant changes appear necessary. The current version of the Pelicans is stuck in the middle, and that is often the most difficult place for an NBA franchise to be.
San Antonio Spurs
Needs: Power forward, continued Victor Wembanyama development
Picks: 20, 35, 44
The San Antonio Spurs were ahead of schedule, finishing with the second-best record in the league. Victor Wembanyama covered up many of the team’s weaknesses, but in the end the defending champion New York Knicks proved too much. In the long run, that disappointment may actually benefit San Antonio. Had they won the title, it might have encouraged a more complacent offseason. Instead, the Spurs should be motivated to address some lingering issues. How aggressive they become remains to be seen, but don’t be surprised if they look for opportunities to maximize their championship window.
Dylan Harper was outstanding down the stretch and increasingly looks like a future star. Alongside Stephon Castle and Wembanyama, the Spurs have assembled one of the league’s most exciting young cores. De’Aaron Fox remains a very good player, but it is fair to wonder whether he is the ideal long-term fit given the emergence of the younger guards. If San Antonio can identify a move that better balances the roster while maintaining its championship aspirations, it should at least explore the possibility.
As currently constructed, power forward remains one of the weaker spots on the roster. Julian Champagnie has become a valuable role player and shooter, but adding a more dynamic option at the position could elevate the team. One intriguing possibility would be exploring the market for Zion Williamson. The risk is obvious, but a healthy Zion paired with Wembanyama would create one of the league’s most unique frontcourts and could raise San Antonio’s ceiling considerably. If the Spurs decide to keep the 20th pick rather than use it in a trade, Allen Graves stands out as one of the most intriguing possibilities, assuming he does not come off the board earlier to Memphis at No. 16. Graves feels like a classic Spurs prospect. His analytics profile is among the strongest in the class, and his ability to impact the game in a variety of ways makes him an especially attractive fit. He rebounds, passes, defends multiple positions, makes quick decisions, and consistently helps winning without needing a high-usage role. While he may not possess the star upside of some prospects, he embodies many of the qualities San Antonio has traditionally valued throughout its most successful eras. Other possibilities could include Jayden Quaintance, Joshua Jefferson, or Luigi Suigo. The Spurs should also thoroughly explore the trade market to determine whether moving Fox for a player who better complements their young core could make sense. The foundation is already in place for sustained success. The challenge now is finding the final pieces needed to transform a contender into a champion.
