Grade the Trade: Mavericks grab new center and defensive specialist

Grading the trade for the Dallas Mavericks

While the Kings may consider Richaun Holmes' contract bad, the Mavericks may not think of it that way. Holmes has the potential to be their new potential starting center.

The Mavs wanted to "remake their center rotation" (subscription required) this offseason according to Marc Stein, and they started that process on draft night. They added Holmes, who already has the potential to be the best center on the roster, and Dereck Lively II.

Holmes is a good roller in the pick and roll and has nice touch around the bucket. He has also shown flashes of being a decent rim protector and gives the Mavericks another playable center on their roster.

JaVale McGee was unplayable at times last year, and Maxi Kleber isn't a true center. The only center that gave Dallas valuable minutes last season was Dwight Powell, and he isn't a starting-caliber center in the NBA. Holmes can be.

Along with Holmes, the Mavericks got the draft rights to Olivier-Maxence Prosper. Prosper is a lockdown defender from Marquette and gives the Mavericks much-needed wing depth. He fights through screens, dives for loose balls, hustles on the glass, and plays tight perimeter defense.

Dallas needed all those things, and adding a lockdown defender on the wing was crucial. Prosper also adds youth to their core.

Both players will likely be a big part of what the Mavericks do next season. This was a great move for the Mavericks and gave fans a look into how the Mavs want to build around Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

Potential starting lineup: Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic, Reggie Bullock, Richaun Holmes, Unknown free agent

The Mavs could also throw Tim Hardaway Jr. or Josh Green into that starting lineup. They will likely make more moves in free agency, so the starting lineup is up in the air until we see the types of moves Dallas makes. Who knows, Dallas may not be done remaking their center rotation and could sign someone else. Lively II even has a chance to start.

Dallas gets an A for this trade as they add more rim protection, wing depth, and youth to their team.

Stay tuned to see what else the Mavericks decide to do this offseason and the other pieces they surround Doncic and Irving with.