Dallas Basketball

Mavs Draft Profile: Could DFW's Anthony Black Help Dallas Backcourt?

With the No. 10 pick in the 2023 NBA draft, the Mavs could look to add some Kyrie Irving insurance with Arkansas’ Anthony Black.

Michael Mulford

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As the NBA Draft approaches, the Dallas Mavericks sit with the No. 10 pick in the lottery after missing the playoffs in what was a disappointing season. Already with many questions heading into the offseason, bump figuring out whether to keep or trade the pick to the top of the list. 

Though the Mavericks seem to be the favorites to re-sign Kyrie Irving this summer, you just never know what can transpire during NBA free agency — and especially with Irving. To avoid being left empty-handed, Dallas could look to use the No. 10 pick another guard to add to a backcourt with Luka Doncic and Jaden Hardy. 

If so, maybe a look at Arkansas guard Anthony Black is merited. In 36 games during his freshman season, Black averaged 12.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.1 steals in just under 35 minutes per game. 

The Duncanville native’s 6-foot-7 frame brings size to the backcourt, which helps Black leave his stamp on the defensive end. Black’s height and athleticism give him the ability to guard multiple positions, as his activity and hands are some of the best in the class. 

Offensively, Black showcases a high basketball IQ as an unselfish playmaker. His size for a lead guard gives him an advantage to see above smaller defenders with swift floor vision. 

Black isn’t necessarily a natural scorer or knockdown shooter as he’s a true pass-first guard, but has the tools to continue improvement in both areas. 

In a recent interview with the Dallas Morning News at the NBA Combine, Black spoke on what it’d be like to play for his hometown team alongside Doncic.

“Luka is one of the best players in the game, and he’s still young ... it would be cool to play with a dude like that and kind of get to learn from him,” Black said. “Yeah, playing for the home team would be cool.”

With other major needs on the roster and the unlikelihood Black falls to No. 10, the Razorback might not land back home in the DFW. But regardless of Irving's status, if the situation presents itself, the addition of Black could be a winning move for the long haul.

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Michael Mulford
MICHAEL MULFORD

Michael Mulford is a writer/editor for Dallas Basketball, where he extensively covers the Dallas Mavericks. He also covers the Chicago Bulls as the Managing Editor for Bulls Wire of USA Today Sports Media Group. Mulford grew up in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and graduated from the University of North Texas in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Event, and Sports Management. He began his pursuit of sports writing in 2017 with Dallas Sports Fanatic, where he covered the Mavericks’ G League affiliate, Texas Legends. He then became the Managing Editor of Dallas Sports Fanatic just one year later and has covered the Mavericks as a credentialed media member since 2018, including covering numerous playoff games between 2021-22 and covering the team at NBA Summer League in Las Vegas in 2019. In his time covering the Mavericks, Mulford has conducted numerous interviews for exclusive stories including with Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki, former Maverick and current VP of Basketball Ops Michael Finley, former Mavericks GM Donnie Nelson, and more. You can follow and interact with Mulford on Twitter at @TheMulf.

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