The 2025-2026 NBA season has been nothing short of an absolute rollercoaster for the Dallas Mavericks. From trading away Luka Dončić and Anthony Davis to losing Kyrie Irving for the entire year due to a torn ACL, the franchise has been forced to completely hit the reset button. However, the one massive, shining light at the end of the tunnel has been the emergence of rookie sensation Cooper Flagg. The number one overall pick has looked every bit like a generational superstar, but the front office is quickly realizing they need to find him the right co-star if they want to build a dynasty.
Now, it looks like Dallas finally has a master plan to secure their backcourt of the future. According to a recent report and mock draft from The Athletic, the Mavericks are heavily heavily targeting a highly touted prospect in the 2026 NBA Draft to become the permanent, long-term replacement for Kyrie Irving.
The Kyrie Irving Dilemma
There is no denying that Kyrie Irving is a basketball savant, but the reality of the situation in Dallas is becoming impossible to ignore. Irving is going to be 34 years old next season, and he is coming off a major knee surgery. While he still has plenty of elite basketball left in the tank, his age simply does not align with the long-term timeline of an 18-year-old Cooper Flagg.
The Mavericks are currently sitting near the very bottom of the Western Conference standings and are perfectly positioned to land a top lottery pick. Since 2026 is the last year Dallas controls their own first-round pick until 2031, they absolutely have to nail this selection. They need a young, dynamic playmaker who can eventually take the keys to the offense and relieve the immense playmaking pressure currently resting on Flagg’s shoulders.
Enter Darius Acuff Jr.
According to The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie, the Mavericks are projected to use their top lottery pick (currently projected around 7th overall) to select Arkansas superstar point guard Darius Acuff Jr.
If you haven’t been paying attention to college hoops, Acuff is putting up absolutely video-game numbers. The freshman floor general is averaging a staggering 22 points and 6.2 assists per game. Even more impressively, he is doing it with elite efficiency, shooting over 49 percent from the floor and an incredible 42.9 percent from beyond the three-point line. He has established himself as arguably the most polished and lethal guard in the entire draft class.
The Perfect Franchise Blueprint
Drafting Acuff would be an absolute home run for the Dallas front office. Flagg is already proving to be a dominant two-way force, but he has been forced to act as the primary point guard for stretches of this season. By bringing in a true ball-handler like Acuff, Flagg can shift back to his natural position and focus on what he does best: scoring on the wing, cutting to the basket, and anchoring the defense.
Furthermore, this move wouldn’t just push Kyrie Irving out the door immediately. Instead, it creates the ultimate mentorship opportunity. Acuff could spend his rookie season learning the ropes from one of the greatest ball-handlers in NBA history. Irving’s elite ability to get into the paint and finish around the rim is exactly the type of skill Acuff needs to master to succeed at the professional level.
The Mavericks have learned the hard way this season that even a generational talent like Cooper Flagg cannot win games all by himself. But if Dallas can successfully pair him with a lethal, floor-spacing point guard like Darius Acuff Jr., the rest of the NBA better be on high alert. The new era of Mavericks basketball is officially taking shape.
