Should Dallas Mavericks trade or keep their 2023 1st round draft pick?

The Dallas Mavericks threw away their chance at the Play-In Tournament to try to keep their first-round draft pick. They owe the selection to the Knicks if it falls outside the top ten to complete the original Kristaps Porzingis trade. Dallas finished with the tenth-worst, but only after tanking away their final two games, which caused the NBA to open an investigation.

The Mavericks are not guaranteed to keep their selection. They must stay in the top ten after the draft lottery on May 16. Dallas has a three percent shot at winning the number one pick and a 79.8 percent chance of retaining their selection. The Knicks still walk away with the pick one out of every five times.

The Mavs must keep their draft pick and significantly improve their roster around Luka Doncic. There are already worries after a rough season and changes must be made. Can Dallas wait for a draft pick to blossom? Will the pressure force the Mavericks to trade their 2023 first-round pick if falls inside the top ten? Should they? Here is a look at both sides of the argument before reaching a verdict on what the franchise should do on draft night.

Why Dallas Mavericks should keep their 2023 first-round draft pick

Having a young talent on a rookie scale contract is massive. First, there is added potential and upside. Everybody knows what a ten-year NBA veteran is going to do, but some top ten picks turn into superstars and others flame out of the league by the end of their rookie contract. There is plenty of risk, but the reward could be massive.

Having a talented piece that helps a team win on a cheap contract is a significant advantage, especially with the new CBA further punishing the highest spending teams. Dallas could draft one in the top ten on June 22.

If the Mavericks trust their ability to develop the pick, his value will be higher after he blossoms into an All-Star or high-level role player. Was Mikal Bridges more valuable as the tenth pick in 2018 or when he was traded as the headliner of the package for Kevin Durant in February?

The Dallas Mavericks desperately need positive assets to keep improving their roster. A top-ten pick will have trade value now and in the future. It also could blossom into a star or high-level role player that the Mavs desperately need if they are going to build a title contender around Luka Doncic before it is too late.

Why Dallas Mavericks should trade their 2023 first-round draft pick

Draft picks are similar to lottery tickets. Having a high lottery pick is valuable. It is the right to select a talented prospect, but it does not always work out. Dallas has a 65.9 percent chance of having the tenth pick. The tenth selection in previous years has been hit and miss, including Thon Maker, Mikal Bridges, CJ McCollum, and Jimmer Fredette since 2011.

The Mavs pick may never have more value than it does on draft night. General manager Nico Harrison did wonders by trading back into last year’s draft to grab Jaden Hardy in the second round. He already looks like one of the steals of that class, which should give fans some hope that Dallas can nail this year’s selection.

What if they do not? There is a ton riding on this draft, including potentially the futures of both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving in Dallas. Do the Mavericks want to take that chance on their pick? They could likely acquire a key role player or two for a top-ten draft pick, which is exactly what the Mavs need around Luka and Kyrie.

Trading away the draft pick would give the Dallas Mavericks a bit more certainty about what the player would be next season and beyond. It also speeds up the team’s timeline and gives them a chance to improve immediately.

This is a massive decision for the front office, and like any significant choice, they should consult with their superstar first.

What does Luka Doncic want Dallas Mavericks to do with their 2023 draft pick?

This is an important question to ask that nobody knows the answer to except for the 24-year-old superstar. The Mavs need to do everything in their power to make number 77 happy. Luka wants to win more than anything, and the franchise should be focused on building a title contender around him. One that can compete for a championship every year over the next decade-plus.

Rookies rarely help contending teams win immediately, but the front office should have both views in mind. Getting a young talent that can grow next to Doncic and blossom into a key piece of a contending team would be massive.

Dallas should also weigh the value of the pick heavily. Is some team willing to blow them away with an offer on draft night? Will the player be worth more than the selection? The Mavericks are looking to maximize the talent on their roster and that often means trading players at the peak of their value, which Dallas has struggled to do.

Luka Doncic’s desire to win immediately will factor into the decision on what the Dallas Mavericks should do with the 2023 first-round draft pick, so what is the best result?

Should the Dallas Mavericks trade or keep their 2023 first-round draft pick?

Trading their first-round pick on draft night makes the most sense for the Mavs. That may not want to be what fans want to hear, but keeping supporters happy cannot be a thought in the franchise’s calculus this summer. There is too much pressure and a need to improve their roster that the Mavericks cannot think about what the fans want.

Ultimately, supporters want to see the team win and so does Luka Doncic. That should be the team’s only focus as they make moves this offseason.

What offers will the Mavericks get for a top-ten pick in a loaded draft class? Can they add a 3-and-D wing and a rim protector in one move? Does Dallas get a potential third star? Will the Mavs go all-in on a prospect in this class and keep their selection?

The NBA Draft lottery will be a massive night for the Mavs. If they lose their pick to the Knicks, the franchise will be further hamstrung from improving their roster, and there will be even more pressure on the front office. Fans and team personnel will all be holding their breath as the ping pong balls fall on May 16.

The Dallas Mavericks are facing a mountain of key decisions to make this summer, including what to do with their first-round pick. Fans should stay tuned to see how it all shakes out and if the franchise can do enough to build a title contender around Luka Doncic. Do not miss it.