Mavs’ approach to Kyrie Irving, Clippers’ plans for Kawhi Leonard headline league chatter before 2026 draft
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With the 2026 draft three weeks away, executives around the NBA are scrutinizing two Western Conference franchises for very different reasons.
Mavericks gauging long-term fit for Irving
New Mavericks president and alternate governor Masai Ujiri has repeatedly said he wants to see Kyrie Irving, 34, share the floor with 19-year-old franchise cornerstone Cooper Flagg. Newly hired assistant general manager Mike Schmitz echoed that optimism, calling the pairing “a match made in heaven.”
Even so, several front offices question how long Dallas will keep the duo together. Irving is coming off a torn ACL, while Flagg headlines a young core that also includes 21-year-old center Dereck Lively II and the club’s No. 9 pick in this year’s draft. Rival teams believe the Mavericks could accelerate a youth movement by dealing Irving for additional assets, though the veteran guard could also provide stability as Flagg develops.
Dallas struggled at point guard during Irving’s rehab, finishing 22nd in assists and 18th in turnovers. Brandon Williams started 15 games and Ryan Nembhard opened 27, but neither is viewed as a long-term starter. At least one highly rated point guard is expected to be on the board when the Mavericks select ninth.
Clippers weighing Leonard, No. 5 pick
Opposing executives are similarly focused on the Clippers, who own the No. 5 pick and must decide whether to keep or move Kawhi Leonard. Should Los Angeles put Leonard on the market, many evaluators rank him alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo as the top available player. If the club keeps and potentially extends Leonard, rivals wonder whether the No. 5 pick could be traded instead. Should the pick be used, Illinois guard Keaton Wagler is widely viewed as the favorite.
Draft outlook for Kings and Hawks
The Kings remain enamored with Arkansas point guard Darius Acuff, who averaged 23.5 points and 6.5 assists while hitting 44.0 percent of 5.8 three-point attempts. Sacramento officials are unsure whether he will still be available when they are on the clock.
The Hawks, armed with the No. 8 selection, are expected to target a point guard from the group of Wagler, Acuff, Mikel Brown and Kingston Flemings, or pivot to 7’3″ Michigan center Aday Mara, whose rising stock has made him a lottery lock. Atlanta also hopes to re-sign veteran guard CJ McCollum, who sparked the Hawks during their first-round series against the Knicks.
Front-office movement
Dallas continues to build around Ujiri in the executive suite. Two names on the Mavericks’ list are Prosper Karangwa, currently a 76ers assistant GM, and Patrick Engelbrecht, the Raptors’ director of global scouting who worked alongside Ujiri for more than a decade.
The Lakers are also eyeing Karangwa while considering Heat vice president of player personnel Eric Amsler and Jazz vice president of player personnel Bart Taylor. Timberwolves assistant GM Steve Senior recently turned down a Lakers offer to remain in Minnesota.
In Utah, the Jazz are promoting assistant GM Shane Fenske to general manager of their G League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars. He succeeds Katie Benzan, who is transitioning to a new role within the organization.
Source: Hoops Rumors
