Mavs Draft Profile: Could Two-Way Guard Cason Wallace Be Dallas' Target at No. 10?

If an upgrade on defense is of necessity for Dallas, the Mavericks may want to target Kentucky guard Cason Wallace with the No. 10 pick.

Michael Mulford | Jun 10, 2023

We're just two weeks away from the 2023 NBA draft, where the Dallas Mavericks have quite the decision to make: keep the No. 10 pick or trade it for a win-now piece?

Regardless of the decision, it's evident that the Mavs need to focus on upgrading their defense across the board this offseason, whether that's on the perimeter or adding a reliable rim protector.

If Dallas is indeed looking to upgrade their perimeter defense, while also adding another secondary playmaker, then look no further than Kentucky guard Cason Wallace at No. 10.

In 32 games as a freshman, Wallace averaged 11.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.0 steals per game while shooting just under 35 percent from 3-point range in 32 minutes per game.

Wallace is a combo guard who specializes on the defensive end. Point blank, Wallace hounds his opponents up and down the floor. His 6-foot-8 wingspan gives him the ability to defend bigger wings with his elite instincts and toughness.

Offensively, Wallace has shown flashes of being knockdown shooter from outside and having the ability to get open as an off-ball guard. With continued work on his handle and comfort as a lead playmaker, Wallace can become a very well-rounded offensive threat.

Wallace, a Garland native, spoke with Dallas Morning News at the NBA Combine on the potential of landing back in the DFW Metroplex as a Maverick. "That’ll be fun, staying in the hometown, achieving big dreams and just making the city proud. I feel like we’ll be able to pack out every arena," Wallace said. "On defense and as a leader, I’ll be able to knock down open shots and create for other teammates."

From a recent report from DallasBasketball.com, the Mavericks had 'high praise' for Arkansas guard Anthony Black following his workout with Dallas, so if both guards are on the board when the Mavs hit the clock at No. 10, it may be Black over Wallace.

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Published Jun 10, 2023

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.