NBA Mock Draft Lands Kentucky's Cason Wallace with Mavs at No. 10

In The Ringer's latest mock draft, the Mavericks land Kentucky Wildcat Cason Wallace to bolster Dallas' defense.

The 2023 NBA draft is just 15 days away, and the Dallas Mavericks have a crucial decision to make for next season and the foreseeable future: Do they keep the their pick in the draft or trade it away for a win-now package?

Dallas holds the No. 10 pick after missing the playoffs, and play-in tournament, as they lucked out and kept their top-10 protected pick in the draft lottery. Had the pick fallen outside of the top 10, it would've been conveyed to the New York Knicks.

What the Mavs need in the draft, and this offseason as a whole, is an abundance of defense and rebounding, which Dallas could find near the end of the lottery.

On Tuesday, The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor released his latest mock draft. In the previous version, the Mavs landed Houston's Jarace Walker. This go-around, O'Connor has the Mavericks selecting guard Cason Wallace out of Kentucky.

O'Connor described Wallace, a Dallas native, as a "game-changing point-of-attack defender who also fills gaps on offense as a playmaker and shooter."

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.

In the mock, O'Connor compares Wallace to Bucks guard Jrue Holiday and 76ers guard De'Anthony Melton as both veterans showcase combo guard skills who get down and dirty on the defensive end of the floor. 

With the uncertainty surrounding Kyrie Irving's pending free agency – although the Mavs are optimistic about their chances of re-signing the eight-time All-Star point guard – adding another guard like Wallace, specifically a hard-nosed defender, would certainly benefit Dallas' backcourt.

Though there seems to be a good chance that Dallas will seek a trade for No. 10 opposed to drafting for themselves, Wallace could step in and make an immediate impact as a perimeter defender. But, if the Mavericks do indeed keep the pick, look for Dallas opt for some more size on the wing, especially if the likes of Taylor Hendricks or Walker are still on the board.

---

Follow Michael Mulford on Twitter.

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Dallas Mavericks? Click Here.

Follow DallasBasketball.com on Twitter and Facebook.