NBA Draft Rumor: Many Sources Believe Mavs Will Trade 10th Pick
The 2023 NBA draft seems to be unlike most in years past, as there's so much uncertainty after the No. 1 pick on 1) where prospects will be selected and 2) which teams plan to trade their pick.
On Thursday, The Athletic's Sam Vecenie released his updated mock draft, which included the Dallas Mavericks landing Kentucky guard Cason Wallace at No. 10. But, Vecenie made note that most speculation around the league is that Dallas won't keep their pick when it's said and done.
"Not many sources around the league currently believe this pick will stay put in Dallas," Vecenie said. "The Mavs seem to be exploring several different options, from trading down in the draft to trading out and acquiring a player who can help now."
Dallas looking to explore trading the pick has always been rumored to be the plan, as the Mavs hope to add more veteran, win-now pieces around Luka Doncic for a run at contention next season. Whether or not that's the smart approach to take for the long-term success of the franchise can be debated, but the Mavs are focused on winning as much as they can and as soon as they can.
Vecenie added that the Mavericks may be looking to not just add a win-now player to their roster, but may also be wanting to add roster depth via the draft. Although trading for Kyrie Irving created a devastating offensive duo with Luka Doncic, trading away two starters in Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith killed Dallas' depth down the stretch of the season, especially when injuries surfaced.
"But agency sources around the league have also noted that Dallas is asking for workouts with players seen as more likely to go in the 20s and 30s even though they don’t have any picks after this one as of now," Vecenie wrote.
No matter the path for Dallas on draft night, whether that's trading the pick for a proven veteran, multiple picks, depth, or simply keeping No. 10 for themselves, their decision will be the building block for what is a crucial summer for the Mavericks' front office.
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