Should Dallas Mavericks keep or trade their first round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft?

The Dallas Mavericks want to build an annual title contender around superstar Luka Doncic. They are searching for the right pieces to compete with the league’s elite teams, and the front office will have multiple key decisions to make this summer.

Jalen Brunson’s free agency is the main topic of conversation. The team and the 6’1 guard failed to reach an extension with the team this season, and he will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Dallas will not have the cap space to sign a replacement if Brunson walks, and his continued improvement will make JB a hot commodity on the open market.

The Mavericks have their first-round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, and they will have a key decision to make on June 23. Should Dallas keep their selection or trade it for a veteran ready to contribute next season?

Should the Dallas Mavericks keep or trade their first-round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft?

Dallas owes their first-round pick in 2023 to the New York Knicks from the original Kristaps Porzingis trade. The Stepien Rule forces the Mavs to keep this year’s selection, but they could trade it away on draft night.

Dallas is looking to maximize their wins in 2023, but they also want to build a team that contends for a title every year around 23-year-old superstar Luka Doncic. Should the Mavericks trade their first-round pick for a veteran or invest in a young talent that can play off number 77 for the next decade?

Here is a look at the case for each side before reaching a verdict on what Dallas should do this summer.