The Dallas Mavericks have ensured that the Milwaukee Bucks will not be the only team making headlines this week, as they poach Dusty May from the national championship-winning Michigan Wolverines. Though, before team president Masai Ujiri officially hired his new head coach, he was already planning a potential big move.
ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel has long reported that the Mavs have considered making a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder that revolves around draft picks. NBA correspondent Marc Stein confirmed as much on Monday and provided the details of what a possible deal could look like.
The Stein Line has learned that Dallas and Oklahoma City, amid the Mavericks' myriad trade discussions throughout the weekend, have discussed a potential swap of No. 9 to the Thunder for the Nos. 12 and 17 picks,” he writes in his substack.
Yaxel Lendeborg, the man who just helped Michigan reach the mountaintop, has frequently been projected to the Thunder at No. 12. If the two franchises do make a draft-night trade centering on these reported terms, then May could lose the opportunity to continue coaching the Big Ten Player of the Year. Fellow Wolverines frontcourt members Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. could also be attainable, and that might be true even if the Mavericks part with the No. 9 selection.
Regardless, Masai Ujiri and Sam Presti are both staying active ahead of the 2026 NBA Draft. Is anyone surprised? With Giannis Antetokounmpo expected to be traded, and Dallas and OKC engaging in talks, the basketball world better brace itself for a hectic start to the offseason.
