Is There a Scenario Where the Dallas Mavericks Should Trade Up in the Draft?

Part two of the NBA Draft trade possibility. With the Dallas Mavericks hanging around the 4-7 draft range for the 2018 NBA Draft, would it be possible to move up and get someone the Mavs really want?

As it goes every year, the NBA Draft has quickly turned into a top 3 draft once again. Although the first overall pick is still not entirely undisputed, DeAndre Ayton, Luka Doncic, and Marvin Bagley III appear to be the favorites to sit atop the draft.

From this point, you still have a lot of great NBA-level talent between Mohamed Bamba, Jaren Jackson Jr., Michael Porter Jr., Mikal Bridges, and Wendell Carter Jr. Although these players are all very good as well, the consensus should be that the top three are in a league of their own.

The Dallas Mavericks would really have to love one of these top three guys to justify jumping into a trade. Whether it is the big man from Arizona, the young guard from Europe, or the uber-athletic forward from Duke, Dallas would be crazy to pass on any of the three.

The trade up situation for the Mavericks is much simpler than the trade down situation. All it would take is Dallas to be completely sold on any of those top three players and a team ahead of them to consider another direction.

MADRID, SPAIN – MARCH 22: Luka Doncic, #7 guard of Real Madrid during the 2017/2018 Turkish Airlines Euroleague Regular Season Round 28 game between Real Madrid and Zalgiris Kaunas at Wizink Arena on March 22, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Sonia Canada/Getty Images) /

I personally would want to do this trade for Ayton or Luka. I would take Bagley if he is available at the 4th pick, but think that Bamba fits into the system in a different way that could be comparable. Bagley is higher on the list for me, but not worthy of losing assets.

In other words, the scenario that puts the Mavs in a position to move up in the draft would have to mean Ayton is available at the third spot and the Atlanta Hawks are willing to move back one spot.

Once again, the scenario is unlikely, but the Mavs may be able to part with their 4th pick and a second rounder in order to move up one spot. That would undoubtedly be worth it, but once again, unlikely.

Next: Scenario Where the Mavs Should Trade Back in the Draft?

It seems like the case for moving down in the draft is a little stronger than moving up, but either way, the Mavericks would be smartest to just stay put and draft the best available player.