The 2026 NBA Draft lottery happened not too long ago, and Louisville basketball’s 5-star sensation Mikel Brown Jr. now has a good feel for where he will likely be drafted. The 5-star is trending to being the first Cardinals selected in the first round since 2017, and is looking like a lock towards being a top-ten pick.
New NBA mock draft pairs Louisville guard with UNC star and Kentucky center
Brown, of course, saw his draft stock slide a little bit after his back injuries this past freshman season, but there is one team that everyone is anticipating him to get drafted by, and it is a match made in heaven. ESPN recently updated its full two-round mock draft, and Brown hinted at where he might prefer to go at the NBA Combine in an interview, and ESPN just granted his wish.
ESPN's latest mock draft sends Mikel Brown Jr. to the Dallas Mavericks
At the 2026 NBA Combine, Brown was interviewed about the possibility of being drafted by the Dallas Mavericks, and the star point guard made it clear he would love it, saying he thinks it is the “best” city in the nation.
"Surreal, cause I think Dallas is the best city in the country," stated Brown Jr. "It's my favorite city in the country. It would be great. I just love the vibe of Dallas.”
Now, just hours ago, in ESPN’s latest mock draft, they predicted Brown’s dreams to come true, as Jeremy Woo predicts Brown to go No. 9 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft.
"Dallas is entering a new era with top executive Masai Ujiri and GM Mike Schmitz signing on to build the team around 19-year-old Cooper Flagg. This might be the Mavericks' most valuable selection for some time, as they don't control their own pick until 2031. But it's still unknown how they view their own needs and competitive timeline with the presumed healthy returns of Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II giving them internal reinforcements. The presence of 34-year-old Irving shouldn't stop them from targeting a guard if they deem it the best route, with Brown's offensive upside worth considering."Jeremy Woo
Dallas would be the perfect fit for Brown, as not only has the Cardinal made it clear he would love the opportunity to play for the Mavs, but he would be set up with an elite forward, Cooper Flagg. The former Duke All-ACC forward is coming off a dominant rookie season, in which he won the 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year.
On top of Flagg, the Mavs have one of the best point guards in NBA history, Kyrie Irving. The NBA champion would be a dream mentor to Brown and would give him the tools and leadership a young rookie needs to grow and succeed in the NBA.
So, when thinking of top places for Brown, it is hard to think of a spot better than Dallas. The 2026 NBA Draft will take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on June 23 and June 24,
Also read: Louisville's Mikel Brown Jr. may have just pointed to his dream draft destination
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