Grade the Trade: Mavericks move down in 2023 NBA Draft to get defensive anchor

The Dallas Mavericks must improve their roster around Luka Doncic this offseason. That is not up for debate if the franchise wants to lessen their fears of his potential departure. The Mavs finished 25th in defensive rating last season, and they were the worst rebounding team in the NBA, which seems like a place to start.

Dallas needs a new starting center. They signed JaVale McGee to take over that gig last offseason, but he lasted just seven games before being pulled from the rotation entirely. Dwight Powell replaced him, but he and Christian Wood are both unrestricted free agents. The Mavericks need to find a starter that is going to rebound and protect the rim.

The front office is rumored to be shopping the tenth overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, but could the Mavericks use it to get a starting center. The Athletic’s Tim Cato detailed several hypothetical trades (subscription required), including this trade down to get their new defensive anchor.

Dallas Mavericks find starting center as they trade down in 2023 NBA Draft

Center has been an issue for the Mavericks since Tyson Chandler departed in 2015, and the Hawks have a glut of big men. Atlanta could be looking to trade Clint Capela to open up more minutes for Onyeka Okongwu, but would they be interested in this deal?

Capela and Hardaway Jr. are both under contract for two more seasons, and the big man is set to make more money. Dallas would be paying a bit more, losing a key shooter, and giving up their top ten pick to land the 6’10 big man. It is a chance to get a legit starting center, but is it worth it?

The Hawks would be reuniting with THJ and moving up in the draft. Would they be interested? Here is a closer look at the hypothetical trade from both sides.

Would Hawks be interested in trading up in the 2023 NBA Draft?

As The Athletic’s Tim Cato and Chris Kirshner both note in the article, this move makes sense for both sides. The Hawks attempted just 30.5 3-pointers per game last season, which was the third-fewest in the NBA, and they were 21st in 3-point percentage. Atlanta needs shooting, and they have Capela’s replacement ready and waiting.

Onyeka Okongwu was the sixth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, and he averaged 9.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in just 23.1 minutes per game last season backing up Capela. The 22-year-old appears ready to take on a larger role, and he could be a better fit for the Hawks.

This deal looks like a no-brainer for Atlanta. Open more minutes for Okongwu, clear a bit of cap space in hopes of ducking the luxury tax, add a much-needed floor spacer, and move up five spots in the draft. The Mavericks may push back on the draft pick aspect of this, and attempt to make the swap of Tim Hardaway Jr. for Clint Capela straight up.

Getting the pick swap is gravy for the Atlanta Hawks and likely needed to get them to agree to the deal, but should Dallas do it? That depends on what they think of Clint Capela.

Would Dallas Mavericks make this trade?

The Mavs should be looking for an elite rebounder and rim protector for their starting center. Assuming they re-sign Kyrie Irving, Dallas is starting with two superstars that are both subpar defensively. They need a defensive anchor on the backline that can bail them out.

Capela finished 23rd in the NBA in blocks per game, but how impactful was his defense? The Hawks finished 22nd in defensive rating by giving up 115.4 points per 100 possessions, and Capela had the worst defensive rating on the team at 116.4. FiveThirtyEight ranked him 26th in the league in Defensive RAPTOR, but not every metric was as favorable on his defense.

Would Clint Capela be a difference-maker in Dallas? He is a traditional center, but Capela had the 11th most possessions per game as a roll man, and his 1.38 points per possession in those situations was the highest among the league’s most-used options. Luka Doncic is one of the best pick and roll ball-handlers in the league, and Capela’s defense would get a chance to shine in Dallas.

Is it a big enough upgrade to move down five spots in the draft? The Dallas Mavericks will be selecting a player in a similar tier regardless, so it is certainly worth exploring.

Grade: B-

Clint Capela would solve the Dallas Mavericks' center woes, but the team should be looking for more depth or impact if they are parting with the tenth overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Capela alone does not make the franchise a contender, so they simply need a bit more.