Dallas Mavericks Continue New Era with Tobi Lawal at No. 48
The Dallas Mavericks are continuing their new era by selecting Tobi Lawal with the 48th overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft on Wednesday night. This year’s NBA Draft marked the Mavericks’ first significant roster reset since the Luka Doncic trade. The Mavericks sought to strengthen their roster with young talent.
This year’s NBA Draft was more than a lottery-style event for the top players among a stacked draft class, but also an opportunity for the Mavericks to build a long-term core. The Mavs’ new-look front office, with Masai Ujiri leading the way and new head coach Dusty May, signaled a shift towards long-lasting player development and roster construction.
Dallas Mavericks’ Final Pick
The Dallas Mavericks’ final pick was the 48th in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft on Wednesday night. The Mavericks selected Virginia Tech forward Tobi Lawal with the No. 48 overall pick. Lawal, 23, is a rebounder who can block shots and play above the rim. However, Lawal’s all-around game is a work in progress as he’s a late bloomer from London, England.
Lawal’s athleticism, motor, and defensive versatility help him make a significant impact on both ends of the floor. His development skills would likely include shooting, offensive creation, and defensive consistency. The Mavs’ frontcourt is already crowded, so his initial work would likely be in special teams, rim protection, and a finisher in transition.
Mavericks’ Previous Picks
The Mavericks’ previous picks were the ninth and the 30th in the first round of the NBA Draft on Tuesday night. The Mavericks selected Michigan forward Morenz Johnson Jr. with the No. 9 overall pick and traded the No. 30 overall pick, Arizona forward Koa Peat, to the New York Knicks for the No. 25 overall pick.
The Mavericks’ move allowed them to land Spanish forward Sergio de Larrea in a four-team, draft-night trade with the Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Phoenix Suns. de Larrea, 20, is a forward who can play a wide range of frontcourt roles. He’s known as a great shooter with an ability to stretch the floor and contribute from beyond the arc.
De Larrea isn’t known as a high-ceiling scorer, but his shooting and versatility can help him become a potential depth piece or a role player. Either way, he can complement the Mavericks’ frontcourt. He previously played for Valencia from 2021 to 2026, concluding his tenure as a Liga ACB champion and subsequently winning the LIGA ACB’s Best Young Player award.
Mavericks’ Overall Outlook
The Mavericks’ overall outlook entering the 2026-27 NBA season appears to be a combination of caution and optimism. The Mavs’ roster builds around a young core, also one of the youngest cores in the NBA, and a major offseason draft pick, Morenz Johnson Jr., who is widely known for his physicality, defensive versatility, and winning mentality.
Johnson Jr. is widely known as a great play-finisher and rim protector. He averaged 13.1 points and 7.3 rebounds and shot 62.3% from the field for the Michigan Wolverines this past season. He can make a big impact with few touches — a positive sign as his qualities would fit well with Cooper Flagg’s style. He can also be a key contributor in close games.
Although the Mavs answered a few questions this week, the Mavs’ overall plan appears unclear. Head coach Dusty May has no NBA experience, so there’s a possibility that the growing pains can emerge due to a potential inability to work well with a new staff, grow Flagg’s game, and lead a professional basketball roster as he did in the college ranks.
