With the 2026 NBA Draft just around the corner, trade discussions are heating up across the league as teams explore opportunities to move up or down the board.
For the Dallas Mavericks, one potential trade partner stands out above the rest, and that is the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Mavericks, Thunder Engaged in Trade Talks Ahead of 2026 NBA Draft
The Mavericks have an important decision to make with the No. 9 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, including whether to stay put or move down to acquire additional assets. One potential trade scenario that has emerged involves the Thunder, who currently own both the No. 12 and No. 17 selections in the first round.
Oklahoma City possesses one of the league’s deepest collections of draft assets, holding 12 first-round picks and 13 second-round picks over the next five years. With such an abundance of future capital, the Thunder are in a strong position to package picks together in an effort to move higher in the draft and target specific players.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, discussions regarding a deal between Dallas and Oklahoma City have already taken place.
“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,” Stein wrote.
The Thunder have established themselves as one of the NBA’s premier contenders. However, they fell short of reaching the NBA Finals this past season while continuing to face significant roster-management challenges. In fact, they just traded Aaron Wiggins to the Atlanta Hawks in a cost-cutting move on Sunday night.
Even after that trade, Oklahoma City is approaching a financial crunch while trying to balance a roster loaded with both established contributors and promising young talent. NBA teams are limited to 15 standard-contract roster spots, making it difficult for them to add multiple first-round rookies every year.
The Thunder cannot realistically draft and develop every prospect tied to those selections, and paying all of their young talent later on presents another challenge. Consolidating assets to move up the board and secure a higher-priority target has become an increasingly logical strategy. A jump to No. 9 could allow Oklahoma City to improve its chances of landing a player it values highly. This way, they can focus their resources on securing one elite talent who better fits their long-term vision.
As for Dallas, moving down a few spots while gaining an additional first-round pick could be an interesting option, as they have more needs than the Thunder as they try to surround Cooper Flagg with talent.
By turning the No. 9 pick into two first-round selections, the Mavericks would have the opportunity to add multiple young contributors. This would strengthen their roster and also provide some long-term financial benefits, as first-round picks sign cost-controlled rookie-scale contracts that are among the most valuable assets in the league.
If the Mavericks choose to move down, one prospect on their list could be Washington’s Hannes Steinbach, who has been identified as a potential target by Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
