NBA Mock Draft: Jalen Hood-Schifino's Rise Gives Luka Doncic's Mavs Major Help

In ESPN's latest NBA mock draft, the Mavs would manage to add an intriguing prospect to help their troubling defense around Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

DALLAS — While the Dallas Mavericks are expected to trade the 10th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft in order to acquire win-now help for Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, there are some hypothetical scenarios in which an intriguing outcome could net them a prospect with the necessary skill-set to provide a boost.

In ESPN's latest mock draft, the projection features Jalen Hood-Schifino rising into the top 10 by being the Utah Jazz's selection with the 9th pick, there is a particular prospect that is available by the time the 10th pick on the clock: Taylor Hendricks.

While there continues to be an implied sense that with pressure to win immediately with Luka Doncic, a trade involving the 10th pick certainly could occur. 

"The Dallas pick creates an intriguing swing spot in the lottery, with the Mavs looking to stay competitive around Luka Doncic and wielding this pick as a useful trade chip in improving the roster," Jeremy Woo wrote. 

"That said, the Mavs should be in the market to improve their frontcourt no matter what, and grabbing Hendricks, who provides both rim protection and floor spacing, would be a feasible step in that direction. Hendricks is in play with teams all over the lottery due to his versatility and the intrinsic value of his skill set."

In his freshman season at Central Florida, Hendricks averaged 15.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in 34.7 minutes per game. He shot 47.8% from the floor, 39.4% on 3s, and 78.2% on free throws. He wasn't a highly touted prospect to begin the season, but worked his way into being a consensus lottery projection.

Standing at 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot wingpan, Hendricks provides an intriguing blend of size, length, and athleticism — affording him the tools to be a dynamic defensive talent. Whether he's switching in ball screen coverage or making a weak-side help rotation as a shot blocker or playing the passing lanes, he's a defensive playmaker that checks a lot of boxes on that front. 

For a Mavs team that included Dorian Finney-Smith in part of the midseason trade to acquire Kyrie Irving, they lost their starting four and have yet to find a replacement. Finney-Smith had the physical tools to handle those direct matchups well and was the team's most impactful switch defender. However, he was the only viable low-man option and an underrated rebounder. Losing all of those attributes proved costly.

Hendricks could prove to be a helpful complementary offensive player next to Doncic and Irving, too. He can knock down open shots and has the tools to be an interior play finisher and threat to attack closeouts. Given the limited offensive skill-set that Finney-Smith had during his time with the team, as long as Hendricks continues to provide those 3-and-D contributions, he'd bring an instant boost.

The actual draft playing out in this way appears to be unlikely at the moment. There is a lot of intrigue for dynamic defensive prospects like Hendricks and Jarace Walker. With many teams willing to trade down inside the top 10, the board could shake up quickly with interested suitors desiring to jump other teams to pick either of them. 

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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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