Mavs Still Have 'Chance' to Make Major Draft Trade With Hawks

The Mavs and Hawks still have a potential pathway to getting a trade completed revolving around their first-round picks in the NBA Draft.

DALLAS — As the start of the 2023 NBA Draft rapidly approaches, the Dallas Mavericks remain a team that many around the league are watching for potential trade activity involving the 10th pick. The pressure is on to make the most of the selection after a 38-44 finish to the season despite receiving an All-NBA First-Team campaign from Luka Doncic and acquiring Kyrie Irving via trade. 

The Mavs' roster construction priorities around Doncic and Irving remain clear. The team seeks to achieve improvement on defense and rebounding after ranking among the NBA's worst in key statistical measures last season.

"I think for us going into the offseason, the two biggest things that we need to work on is defense and rebounding," Mavs general manager Nico Harrison said of the team's needs during his exit interview. "That's going to be addressed."

Among the areas involved in fixing those issue include a desired "remake" the center position with Christian Wood and Dwight Powell set to be free agents. However, Dallas views bolstering on-ball defense as a need along with rim protection.

How might Dallas go about addressing these needs? Among the previously reported possibilities for the Mavs include a trade down scenario with the Atlanta Hawks. The general framework mentioned involved Dallas sending Davis Bertans and the 10th pick to the Hawks in exchange for the 15th pick and a veteran frontcourt player. 

The Mavs want Clint Capela to address their center needs as opposed to John Collins, who Atlanta prefers to send out in a potential trade. As a result of this disconnect, NBA insider Marc Stein recently reported there being "no common ground" in the discussions between the two teams. Where does it stand now?

According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, there still remains a chance the Mavs could use the 10th pick in a trade down scenario with the Hawks. However, the player that Atlanta makes available will impact the likelihood of a deal transpiring.

"There remains the chance, sources said, that Dallas could send the No. 10 pick to Atlanta for that No. 15 selection depending on which players are available," Fischer wrote.

Capela, 29, is coming off a strong season with the Hawks, averaging 12.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 65 games. He remains one of the NBA's top rebounders on both ends and is an impact defensive anchor. With his proven success as a rim roller and play finisher for elite playmakers like James Harden and Trae Young, the fit with Doncic would naturally be an appealing one. 

While the upside to a trade for Capela is clear for the Mavs, there is always potential downside with any move. He has previously torn his Achilles and is reliant on his athleticism. It's also more challenging to forecast which prospects will be available when the 15th pick is on the clock compared to selecting five picks earlier. 

Fischer also reported the Mavs could "defy expectations" by standing pat with the 10th pick to select either Cam Whitmore or Taylor Hendricks, if either prospect was to still be available after slipping during the draft. 

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Grant Afseth is a Dallas Mavericks reporter for DallasBasketball.com and an NBA reporter for NBA Analysis Network. He previously covered the Indiana Pacers and NBA for CNHI's Kokomo Tribune and various NBA teams for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. Follow him on Twitter (@grantafseth), Facebook (@grantgafseth), and YouTube (@grantafseth).

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