3 Positives, 2 negatives of Mavericks landing 10th pick in 2023 NBA Draft Lottery

The Dallas Mavericks had dreams of jumping into the top four in the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery. Winning on Tuesday night was a massive chance to land another generational talent in Victor Wembanyama, even if the odds were extremely slim. The Mavs had never moved up in the lottery, despite 15 shots, and they were hoping their luck finally changed.

It did not happen on May 16, but Dallas avoided their doomsday scenario. The Mavericks held at tenth overall, which means they will have their first-round pick on June 22.

Things could have been much better or much worse for Dallas on Tuesday night. They came out with a positive result, but there were plenty of nervous moments leading up to it. Here are five takeaways from this year’s draft lottery.

Positive of Dallas Mavericks landing 10th pick: 3. Kept their pick

The Mavs owed their 2023 first-round pick to the New York Knicks with a top-ten protection from the Kristaps Porzingis trade in 2019. It is why Dallas lost their final two games on purpose, and had to pay a $750,000 fine. They finished with the tenth-worst record in the league, but they had zero guarantees of keeping their pick until the lottery.

In Mavs fashion, they held at tenth overall and barely held onto their draft choice. There were much worse scenarios and general manager Nico Harrison was certainly relieved that his organization will have a pick this year, but there is still plenty to sort out for the Dallas Mavericks.

Positive of Dallas Mavericks landing 10th pick: 2. Knicks have to wait

The Knicks did not make friends with the Mavs last year as they openly pursued Jalen Brunson during the playoffs and before they were allowed to talk to him in free agency. New York was ultimately found guilty of tampering and lost a second-round pick, but they got the best of the situation by signing Brunson.

The Mavericks did not want the Knicks to get another one over them here. They had a 79.8 percent chance of keeping their pick, but the second-most likely scenario was New York getting the 11th pick from Dallas and maximizing its potential. The Mavs had zero desire to lose their pick, especially to the Knicks.

Staying tenth means New York will have to wait at least one more year to finish the Kristaps Porzingis trade. The Mavericks now owe their 2024 first-round pick to the Knicks with another top-ten protection. Dallas is hoping to avoid the lottery for at least the next decade with Luka Doncic, and not being able to do it could mean bigger worries for the Mavericks.

The Dallas Mavericks are hoping to convey a pick in the 20s to the New York Knicks in 2024. That would mean they are comfortably back in the playoffs and made the most of the 2023 offseason.

Positive of Dallas Mavericks landing 10th pick: 1. Trade chip?

The Mavs had to keep their pick to improve their roster. Without it, their assets were just too limited to fill the team’s holes. Dallas needs multiple upgrades if they are going to jump back into contention next season, and trading will be the avenue to make the most headway.

The Mavericks are expected to explore the market for the tenth overall pick. What can they add? Can Dallas get two key rotation pieces for the tenth selection or even a third star if they build the proper package? What teams are interested? Does someone think a game-changer is still on the board at ten?

The Dallas Mavericks cannot trade their 2023 first-round pick until draft night because of the Stepien Rule. They owe their 2024 first to the Knicks, and the rule prevents teams from trading away selections in consecutive years. That means Dallas has just over one month to decide what to do with the tenth overall pick in this year’s draft.

The Mavs have an important trade chip that will return a significant haul, but the pressure is on the front office to turn it into the right return that gets the franchise back into contention. 

Negative of Dallas Mavericks landing 10th pick: 2. Rival Spurs landed Wembanyama

The Mavs dreamed of landing Victor Wembanyama. Yes, it was only a three percent chance, but it would not be the first time that a franchise with long odds landed the number one overall pick. In 2023, getting the top selection meant landing a once-in-a-generation talent that could alter the NBA.

Wembanyama is that good and the hype is certainly warranted. He can handle the ball, shoot stepback threes, score, protect the rim, and guard on the perimeter. The 7’5 big man can do it all on the floor, and he is still improving.

Instead, Dallas stayed at ten and the rival San Antonio Spurs won the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery. It was truly their night as San Antonio had their combinations drawn three times as the league attempted to pick the top four selections. It was a wild night that proved the 7’5 French prodigy belonged in San Antonio.

The Mavericks will have to contend with Wembanyama for the next two decades, and the teenage prodigy will have the Spurs back in contention quickly. Dallas would have certainly preferred to see him go to the Eastern Conference, but at least they held onto their selection on Tuesday night.

Negative of Dallas Mavericks landing 10th pick: 1. Work is just beginning

The Mavs have a crucial offseason ahead, and the NBA Draft Lottery was just the first step. Now the work begins. Dallas has to decide what to do with their pick over the next month as they attempt to convince Kyrie Irving to stay and figure out who to target in free agency. The Mavs must make significant roster changes this summer and keeping their pick was just the first part of that.

Kyrie is still the summer’s top priority. The Mavericks gave up two starters and three draft picks to acquire him in February, but the eight-time All-Star is an unrestricted free agent this summer. Dallas has to convince him to stay or they risk losing him with zero return. Bringing him back cannot be their only move.

The phone calls have already begun for the tenth pick. The Mavs are gauging the market and trying to figure out the best way to improve their roster. They have to get it right this offseason.

Dallas has already made too many mistakes and the next one could mean losing Luka Doncic. No team wants to be remembered as the one who traded their superstar because they could not build a title contender around him. So the pressure is on the front office.

The Dallas Mavericks avoided their doomsday scenario, but the offseason is just starting to heat up. Stay tuned for all the latest as the franchise attempts to get back on track.