By: Anthony Miller
The Dallas Mavericks went into the 2023 NBA Draft with the expectations they were going to be making trades and they were able to produce good results.
Dallas started their night by picking Cason Wallace, a guard from Kentucky, with the tenth pick of the draft, but would soon get traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder would send their 12th pick, Duke center Dereck Lively II, to the Mavericks. Dallas would include forward Davis Bertans in the deal as well. Their trade has not yet been official despite them having an agreement in place.
The Mavericks were not done with trades as they made a second trade with the Sacramento Kings. Dallas received veteran forward/center Richaun Holmes and the 24th overall pick in the draft. Marquette forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper would end up being the pick for the Mavericks. This trade was also not yet official as we wait to hear what the Kings have received in the trade.
Takeaways From Dallas Mavericks Draft Night
Pick 12 – Dereck Lively II, Center, Duke
Evaluating their first pick, Dallas was expected to trade down as that was the speculation prior to the draft. One of the biggest needs for the Mavericks was to get some size in the paint and have solid defenders. Lively II is that guy standing at a seven-foot-one inch, he can play tough in the paint and provide blocks. Last season with Duke, he recorded 5.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks in 34 games with the Blue Devils.
Don’t expect to get too much offensive production from Lively II, but Dallas will get someone who will be a rim protector. He was projected to go lower in the draft, but the Mavericks had a plan of attack to make sure the defense was solid. Lively II should end up being a solid contributor for the Mavericks as he will need time to get into the flow so expect him to come off the bench this season.
Pick 24 – Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Forward, Marquette
Many experts have talked about Prosper as one of the fastest-rising players in this draft where he worked his way up into the first round. What has helped him is how athletic he is at six foot eight inches, proving to be a good shooter when he spots up. His defense is another big reason he gained a lot of attention as scouts have even mentioned how his work ethic and intangibles are what impressed teams during their interviews.
If it wasn’t clear before the draft, it is now that Dallas wanted guys who can play defense in the paint. Prosper is a great defender who will make for another great role player to start his career. Most likely, he will back up Maxi Kleber and come off the bench like Lively II. The upside is there for Prosper and with some time to grow, he could stay on as a key role player for the Mavericks for the next three to five years.
Dallas Mavericks Trade for Richaun Holmes
As part of the Sacramento trade, the Mavericks acquired Richaun Holmes from the Kings as Dallas brings in experience to the roster. Holmes has played in the league for eight seasons starting with three seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, then one year with the Phoenix Suns, and has spent the last four seasons in Sacramento. In 42 games last season with the Kings, Holmes recorded 3.1 points and 1.9 rebounds per game.
When given the playing time, Holmes is a solid rebounder who also has a range in his shooting from mid-range and the three-point mark. Last season he averaged a career-low of 8.3 minutes per game as he was mainly a bench guy for the Kings. He’ll come in with a chance to pick up more playing time and even a starting position at forward and center. Holmes is most likely the bridge player for whenever Lively II is ready to take the starting center job, but still a plus for Dallas’ roster adding another solid role player.
Featured Image via Twitter (@dallasmavs)