Grade the Trade: Mavericks grab new center and defensive specialist

Noah Weber

Charlotte Hornets v Sacramento Kings / Thearon W. Henderson/GettyImages

The Dallas Mavericks entered the 2023 NBA Draft with the 10th overall pick. They were expected to trade back, and they did exactly that.

They traded the No. 10 pick and Davis Bertans to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for the No. 12 pick and a TPE. They drafted Dereck Lively II with the 12th pick to add depth to their center rotation, but they weren't done there.

Dallas then traded the TPE to the Sacramento Kings for the No. 24 pick and Richaun Holmes. Sacramento then selected Olivier-Maxence Prosper for the Mavs. The Mavericks flipped a TPE for two players that will be in the Mavericks' rotation next season.

It was a huge steal, and Dallas gained that TPE just for dealing Bertans, as they didn't take a player back in the trade with OKC.

This was one of the biggest draft nights in recent memory for the Mavericks as they added defense and depth on the wing. They got better without giving up much, and they still have free agency on the way.

This move helped both teams as the Kings will look to take the next step to make deeper playoff runs while the Mavericks will look to return to the playoffs and finish building a solid roster around Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Neither team is in a rush to win a title, and they have bright futures ahead of them.

Here we grade the trade for both teams and discuss how each team got better.

Grading the trade for the Sacramento Kings

This trade gives the Kings tons of flexibility in free agency and allowed them to shed a bad contract.

Richaun Holmes was once their starting center and gave them valuable minutes. After they traded for Damantas Sabonis, things became different. Holmes wasn't playing nearly as much, and they didn't need him.

He went from averaging 14.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game as the full-time starter in the 2020-2021 season to averaging just 3.1 points on 8.3 minutes per game last season. Holmes also didn't touch the floor during the Kings' first-round series against the Warriors.

He was set to make just under $25 million over the next two seasons, and it was in the Kings' best interest to trade him. Now they can add a backup center in free agency for much cheaper.

Although the Kings had to give up the 24th overall pick while shedding his contract, it was worth it for them. They now have plenty of cap space to pursue free agents on the open market and not be limited once the new CBA hits.

Potential starting lineup: De'Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter, Keegan Murray, Damantas Sabonis, Unknown free agent

Sacramento gets a B+ for this trade because they shed a bad contract, giving them plenty of cap space. They shed that contract at the cost of a first-round pick, which is valuable in the NBA, and that's why they didn't get an A.

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.

Noah Weber

Noah Weber is the Site Expert for The Smoking Cuban, covering the Dallas Mavericks as a credentialed media member since the 2022-23 season. With a Bachelor of Science in Sports Media from Oklahoma State University, Noah has worked in sports journalism since 2019. While he's covered the Dallas Cowboys and Oklahoma State Cowboys, he has now established himself as a go-to voice for Mavericks coverage. Noah's expertise includes in-depth game analysis, social media content creation, and offering unique perspectives through his reporting. His work has been featured on major platforms such as ESPN, Bleacher Report, and Overtime. During his time at Oklahoma State, Noah won first place in the Oklahoma Broadcast Education Association Awards for a show he co-produced. Outside of covering the Mavs, Noah enjoys working out, playing basketball and Spikeball, and spending quality time with friends and family.