NBA Mock Drafts Predict How Luka Doncic's Mavs Will Use 10th Pick

The latest NBA mock draft projections from major outlets are forming a consensus for a particular prospect to pair with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

DALLAS — While it remains to be seen if the Dallas Mavericks will end up using the 10th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft in a trade or to select a prospect, they remain factored into mock draft projections ahead of June 22. 

When compiling a consensus using the latest projections from 10 different outlets, NBA.com determined the most common projection for the Mavs at this time is to use the 10th pick to select former Kansas sharpshooter Gradey Dick.

The 6-foot-8 wing is coming a freshman campaign with the Jayhawks that featured averages of 14.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.4 steals. He shot 44.2 percent from the floor, 40.3 percent from 3-point range, and 85.4 percent on free throws. He's considered a versatile and dynamic jump shooter with helpful playmaking skills and shot creation upside. However, many project him as being an underwhelming at best defensive player at the NBA level.

Krysten Peek of Yahoo Sports, who was among the draft experts that has the Mavs using the 10th pick to select Dick. highlighted the impressive performance he put together at the NBA Scouting Combine in Chicago as being a factor.

"The Kansas guard raised some eyebrows Monday afternoon at the NBA Draft Combine when he elected to participate in every activity, including shooting drills and 3-on-3 competition," Peek wrote. "Typically, players projected within the lottery skip any sort of competition to avoid exposure or injury. Dick shot 64% and finished with the fourth-best score in the 3-point star drill, and shot 76.7% and was sixth out of all players win shooting off the dribble."

With the Mavs seeking to bolster their capabilities on defense in terms of both on-ball containment and rim protection, using the main mechanism for roster improvement afforded to them on a wing shooter with limited upside on that end would be a move that would catch many by surprise. 

Many NBA insiders continue to expect the Mavs to use the 10th pick in a trade to add an established, difference-making talent to pair with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Regardless, the organization will do its due-dilligence on draft prospects before making such a move.

Given the ramifications of the changes made to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, it's certainly worth evaluating the option of adding a prospect using a lottery pick. The Mavs are likely to have two max players for the foreseeable future if all things go according to their plan. Having a cost controlled contributor would only help if the right prospect was selected.

As for Dick, the case for him to be the selection for the Mavs would be that replacing the aggressive perimeter shooting of Tim Hardaway Jr. will be necessary in the near future. Adding a taller wing shooter could prove easier to deploy lineups alongside Irving and Doncic going forward. 

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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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