Dallas Mavericks Zeroing In On Brayden Burries? That + NBA Finals Talk

The Mavs Step Back Podcast dives into the 2026 NBA Draft landscape with a strong focus on the Dallas Mavericks potentially targeting Arizona guard Brayden Burries with the 9th overall pick. Host Dalton Trigg argues that Burries, despite a below-average three-point percentage in college, has the physicality, versatility, and NBA-ready skill set to contribute immediately—especially with Kyrie Irving returning and Cooper Flagg expected to be the team’s centerpiece. Trigg dismisses the idea that the Mavs are merely chasing a 'smokescreen' and highlights multiple reports linking the team to Burries. He also expresses cautious optimism about Kingston Flemings falling to Dallas, though he remains skeptical of the narrative that Burries is the clear frontrunner. The episode shifts to a passionate defense of Jalen Brunson’s rise with the Knicks, contrasting his current status as a Finals star with his 2022 departure from Dallas. Trigg argues that Brunson’s development was accelerated by leaving Dallas, echoing the 'what-if' debate around Steve Nash’s MVPs in Phoenix. He also critiques the premature comparison of Knicks’ Cat Bordas to Dirk Nowitzki, calling it a dangerous overreach that tempted fate—especially after Bordas’ poor Game 3 performance. Ultimately, Trigg emphasizes that the Mavs’ future is unpredictable, with major changes on the horizon including a new head coach, GM Mike Schmidt, and the potential for a new era built around Flagg and a top-10 pick.