The Dallas Mavericks reportedly will take a hard look at moving their first-round NBA Draft pick in June as they try to quickly turn things around after a disastrous season in 2022-2023.
This past season for the Dallas Mavericks could not have gone much worse. After a trip to the Western Conference Finals last year, the Mavericks were an inconsistent unit that only got worse this season following the blockbuster NBA trade deadline deal for superstar guard Kyrie Irving.
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As they fell in the NBA standings over the last few weeks, the writing was on the wall about this year’s team and the organization made the bold move of throwing up the white flag and doing all they can to make sure they finished with one of the 10 worst records in the NBA this season. If they fell outside the bottom 10, their first-round pick in 2023 was set to go to the New York Knicks due to a deal from 2019.
Well, the Dallas Mavericks succeeded and will now have a first-round pick this year. However, they may not be holding on to it much longer. On Sunday, NBA insider Marc Stein reported that “Sources say that the Mavericks plan to explore trade prospects with the pick if they retain it to potentially seek more win-now talent.”
Dallas Mavericks record (’22-’23): 38-44
The top 10 selection is a valuable asset in potential trades, however, after last summer set a new high bar for what is needed to acquire a superstar talent, Dallas may be limited in what types of impact players they can add with their trade assets. With that in mind, here are three big-name players they could target this summer.
Rudy Gobert
Last summer, Rudy Gobert landed an obscene amount of first-round picks for the Utah Jazz in a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, after a down year this season and throwing a punch at a teammate in the final game of the season, his days in Minnesota are likely numbered.
The Dallas Mavericks badly need a defensive anchor, and the three-time All-Star could certainly be that while coming at a far cheaper price than he went for last year.
DeMar DeRozan
If the Chicago Bulls surprise NBA observers and go further than expected in the postseason, the organization may decide the roster does not need wholesale changes. However, if they are bounced in the Play-In tournament, long-rumored trades of some of their top players could soon come.
Many expect the team will ship off Zach LaVine due to a deteriorating relationship with head coach Billy Donovan. However, the Mavericks may not have the chips to land him. But their first-round pick this year could be enough to get DeMar DeRozan. The six-time All-Star certainly would add more scoring and could be a sensible secondary option to Luka Doncic if they don’t re-sign Kyrie Irving.
Draymond Green
The Dallas Mavericks need a culture change, and no player that could be available would be able to bring that about more than Draymond Green. Many expect him to opt out of the final year of his deal this summer. If the Golden State Warriors disappoint in defending their championship this spring, the two sides could possibly work out a sign-and-trade agreement that sees the Mavs only give up their top pick for the locker room and defensive leader they are looking for.