Will the Mavericks trade their 2020 first round pick on draft night?

Will they trade the picks?

Fans may forget that Dallas has their first rounder. Fans know they traded two to the New York Knicks to acquire Kristaps Porzingis just months after dealing two to the Hawks to secure Luka Doncic. Both deals have worked out fantastically for Dallas.

The NBA’s Stepien Rule permits teams for trading their first round pick in consecutive seasons. Therefore, the Mavs still hold their firsts in 2020 and 2022. They own it to New York in 2021 and 2023. They cannot trade a first round pick until 2025.

The rule does not preclude Dallas from trading the pick on draft night, though. Technically speaking, the Mavericks would make the selection and the deal would be processed after the draft. It happens with all draft night deals. That is why Luka Doncic was technically drafted by the Atlanta Hawks and the Milwaukee Bucks selected Dirk Nowitzki.

The Mavs have a decision to make. Do they want a young talent that they can groom or do they go all-in to compete in 2021 and beyond? The Mavericks desire to contend means the picks are likely to be packaged for a player that can help them win now. It will be interesting to see what if anything Dallas can pull off.

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