Dallas Mavericks: Revisiting the 2013 NBA Draft

After a short break, we started back into our draft revisits yesterday with the 2012 NBA Draft, and take a look today at what the Dallas Mavericks did in the year 2013.

As we draw nearer to the upcoming draft, we here at The Smoking Cuban also get closer to finishing up our draft revisits from the year 1999 to 2015. Today, we will take a look at what the Dallas Mavericks did 15 years after drafting Dirk Nowitzki.

The 2013 draft was not swimming with talent like the 2012 draft had been and was headlined by a number one draft bust by the name of Anthony Bennett. Obviously most of these players haven’t developed into the players they will be for their career, but it is interesting to note that not a single players taken in 2013 has even made an all-star appearance.

Notable Players Drafted in 2013

Victor Oladipo – Rd. 1 Pk. 2 (ORL)

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – Rd. 1 Pk. 8 (DET)

C.J. McCollum – Rd. 1 Pk. 10 (POR)

Michael Carter-Williams – Rd. 1 Pk. 11 (PHI)

Steven Adams – Rd. 1 Pk. 12 (OKC)

Giannis Antetokounmpo – Rd. 1 Pk. 15 (MIL)

Dennis Schroder – Rd. 1 Pk. 17 (ATL)

Rudy Gobert – Rd. 1 Pk. 27 (DEN traded to UTAH)

Allen Crabbe – Rd. 2 Pk. 31(CLE traded to POR)

Matthew Dellavedova – Undrafted

Mar 30, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) is guarded by Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) in the second quarter of their game at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

State of the Mavs

The Dallas Mavericks were in a very unfamiliar state coming into the 2013 draft. For the first time since the 1999-2000 team, the Mavs were not in the NBA playoffs. Finishing the season with a 41-41 record, Dallas finished with the number 10 spot in the west and a lot of questions.

Fortunately for the Mavs fans, the answer we would go with was clear from the start. Dallas had begun a never ending cycle of players, hoping to land a big name free agent so much that everyone else was signed to a 1-year deal in preparation for the free agent chase each offseason.

This time around, it was a good thing because the starting lineup with O.J. Mayo, Darren Collison, and Elton Brand was not a pretty sight. Change was needed and the draft was a possibility as we had two picks, despite a weak draft class.

The first round pick available to the Mavericks was, for the first time in 15 years, a lottery pick. Although it was at the bottom end of the lottery, Dallas ended with the number 13 selection in the first round and the number 44 pick in the second.

Jan 5, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Darren Collison (7) drives to the basket between Dallas Mavericks guard Deron Williams (8) and center Zaza Pachulia (27) during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeat the Kings 117-116 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

What the Mavs Did

Just to preface this a little bit, the number 13 pick ended up being Kelly Olynyk and the 44th was Mike Muscala, two decent role players for their respective teams that, not surprisingly, never made an appearance in a Dallas Mavericks uniform.

Seeing that these two players got traded, lets take a look at the players Dallas actually ended up getting in the draft: Shane Larkin (#18), and Ricky Ledo (#43). Larkin and Ledo each played very limited minutes during their time with Dallas before both being shipped off to other teams shortly thereafter.

Shane Larkin was a risky player right from the get-go. An undersized guard coming from Miami who had not proven a whole lot in his limited college time was a unique player for Dallas to trade around to get. Ledo was another guard who was unproven due to his being ineligible throughout his only college season at Providence.

Dallas ended up trading away the 13th selection for the rights to number 16, Lucas Nogueira. The Mavericks traded him immediately after, along with Muscala and Jared Cunningham for the rights to Larkin.

The Mavs then traded back into the draft to pick up Ledo from the 76ers in exchange for a second-rounder in 2014 which they had acquired earlier in the Olynyk trade with Boston. Very interesting moves on draft day from the Mavericks.

Feb 28, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

What the Mavs Should’ve Done

Truthfully any alternative to what the Mavericks did would be an improvement to what they ended up with. Keeping the 13th pick and Kelly Olynyk would’ve given Dallas a decent player to rest Dirk at times. Keeping Nogueira and Muscala would have done the same thing.

Had the Mavericks gone through with the trades to acquire the 18th overall pick, the players still available at the time included: Tony Snell, Gorgui Diend, Mason Plumlee, Andre Roberson, Rudy Gobert, and Allen Crabbe. All have played different roles on their various teams.

If we keep the 13th selection overall, other players besides those already mentioned include: Shabazz Muhammad, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Dennis Schroder. The Greek Freak and Schroder have both been outstanding players who have shown glimpses of all-star level play in the years to come.

As far as the second round pick goes, Muscala was probably the best option in the entire round followed by Joffrey Lauvergne at number 55.

Next: Dallas Mavericks: Revisiting the 2012 NBA Draft

Dallas definitely did not have a highlight day when it came to the 2013 NBA Draft but, as the saying goes, hindsight is always 20/20. With only a few more drafts to cover as the 2016 draft draws nearer, stay tuned with us here at The Smoking Cuban for all Dallas Mavericks draft coverage: past, present, and future.

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