Mavericks Rumors: No. 10 Draft Pick Expected to Be Traded; Could Acquire Vet Player

The Dallas Mavericks are currently set to select 10th in the 2023 NBA draft.

Reports indicate that spot could belong to another team by the time June 22 rolls around.

The Mavs "seem to be exploring several different options," including trading the No. 10 pick for a current NBA player, The Athletic's Sam Vecenie reported.

League sources "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.

Although the Mavericks don't confirm which players they bring in for workouts, social media posts and reports indicate that the team has taken looks at projected top-10 picks as well, including Kansas guard Gradey Dick and Arkansas guard Anthony Black.

Michael Scotto of HoopsHype said last Thursday that the Mavericks have "dangled" the No. 10 pick in front of other NBA teams "with the hope of landing a veteran player who can impact winning immediately."

After missing these playoffs, next season could be an ideal year for Dallas to get those immediate wins. Josh Green and rookie Jaden Hardy saw their roles expand late last season, and both will likely take another step further in their development in 2023-24. Superstar Kyrie Irving wants to stay with Dallas, according to Marc Stein, while Luka Dončić is signed on for the next three years.

If Dallas feels the team is in win-now mode, moving the No. 10 pick for a vet could be its best bet. If the Mavs decide building for the future is the better option, they might not be able to say no to high-ceiling players like Dick or Black.

"They may have a couple of players they wouldn't be able to pass on if they were to fall on draft night," Vecenie noted.

Alternatively, Dallas could find a hidden gem later in the first round (after all, Hardy came to the team at No. 37) and sell the No. 10 selection for multiple later picks.

Whatever the Mavericks decide to do with their first-round pick, the pressure has rarely been higher for general manager Nico Harrison after an underwhelming 2022-23 campaign. The No. 10 draft slot will be one to keep an eye on as June 22 draws nearer.