Dallas Mavericks: Should they trade draft picks for role players?

Dallas Mavericks got here by trading draft picks for talent

The Mavs were in total rebuild mode in 2018 when they saw an opportunity and seized it. Dallas traded up from fifth to third overall in the draft to select Luka Doncic. It cost them their first-round pick in 2019, but the move was a win from the moment they made it. Doncic had all the makings of a star and delivered sooner than expected.

Luka’s unbelievable rookie campaign sparked a second massive swing by the Mavericks. They traded 2017 lottery pick Dennis Smith Jr., DeAndre Jordan, Wesley Matthews, and two first-round picks to acquire Kristaps Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Jr., Trey Burke, and Courtney Lee. Dallas trading a future first in the Doncic deal meant that the first pick to the Knicks did not convey until 2021.

They still owe New York their 2023 first-rounder, which is top ten protected. That protection prevents Dallas from trading their 2025 first to only further hamper their available selections.

Porzingis has not been the second star Dallas hoped for, but he and Tim Hardaway Jr. are above average players. The Mavs likely regret dealing two future first-round picks because it took them out of the running to acquire multiple other star players.

Should the Dallas Mavericks trade out more draft picks to acquire talent that can help them win now?