3 prospects the Dallas Mavericks should consider with pick 10 in the 2023 NBA Draft

The Dallas Mavericks are a team that ended the 2022-2023 season with some fans' expectations let down. They traded for Kyrie Irving mid-season to pair with Luka Doncic, and it ended up getting them the 10th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

They quickly went from playing in the Western Conference Finals last season to contending for the playoffs this season to tanking their final two games to stay at pick 10 in the draft, even if it cost them $750 thousand.

This draft will likely be known as the Victor Wembanyama draft, as the San Antonio Spurs look locked in on drafting the "unicorn," as the modern NBA calls his build. And they should take him. But just because he is headlining the draft doesn't mean the Mavericks can't get someone good at pick 10.

3 prospects the Dallas Mavericks should consider with pick 10 in the 2023 NBA Draft

Luka Doncic is an unrestricted free agent in 2027 and has a player option after the 2025-2026 season. Although that seems like a long time from now, it will come and go. Who is to say he won't go somewhere else when the time comes? He could go if the Mavericks haven't won a title by then.

Therefore, this draft has enormous implications considering the roster they already have. They also could have Kyrie Irving back next season.

This draft is crucial for Dallas because if they get it wrong, their decision to tank could backfire in their face. Sure, a team in the play-in doesn't always do well, as that's the direction the Mavericks were heading in had they won their last two games. But, at the same time, there is a team from the Play-In Tournament that is also in the NBA Finals as we speak in the Miami Heat.

While it would be a stretch to say that the Mavericks could be on the western side of the bracket, we also can't rule out that it wouldn't have happened. So, Dallas has to get this pick right.

There are many options for the Mavericks to consider when the 2023 NBA Draft kicks off Thursday, June 22. They have a few different needs, like a rim protector, wing depth, and even more three-and-d guys wouldn't hurt. This draft isn't stacked by any means, but some guys could certainly help the Mavericks this upcoming season and in the future.

The front office has some tough decisions to make when making their pick in a few weeks. Here are three guys Dallas should look at when they're on the clock.

3. Jordan Hawkins, SG, University of Connecticut

Jordan Hawkins is a guy the Mavericks should take a look at. First, he fits the mold of what the Mavericks want to surround Luka Doncic with. He can play defense, and he is an excellent shooter. The 2023 NCAA champion may even be one of the best three-point shooters in this draft. He shot an efficient 38.8 percent from downtown last season and will look to carry this momentum into the NBA.

Hawkins has some athleticism in his bag too. He can get to the rim at the college level but isn't the most consistent finisher. When he's on the fast break, he will throw it down with authority.

Hawkins also can eventually have some playmaking ability in his bag. But now he is a guy that will make most of his money scoring off the catch and occasionally off the dribble.

Hawkins reminds me of Tim Hardaway Jr. in terms of his shooting. He has a high release point, and we didn't see closeouts affect him too much. Because the draft is before the free agency period opens, this would somewhat be a safe pick for the Mavericks. No one knows what will happen with Kyrie Irving, and if he stays or leaves, this is still a good pick.

2. Keyonte George, G, Baylor

The reasons Dallas should look into Hawkins also apply to George. However, while George isn't as good a defender, but still shows the willingness to compete on that side of the court, which means there is always room for improvement. George is also more athletic than Hawkins and can score inside more than Hawkins.

George had a lot of ball-handling responsibilities at Baylor, so in the future, I'd be comfortable with him handling the rock if he had to. George shot 33% percent from behind the arc last season, so his shot may not be as ready as Hawkins, but he is also younger. George also was a good rebounder for his size, pulling down four rebounds a game.

Both would be great picks, and neither is a risk or gamble. Plus, this sets you up for the future when Hardaway Jr. or someone else is hurt or leaves via trade or free agency. Now they have a young guy to step in and play that wing role the Mavericks covet. George also has the potential to be a good ball handler at the next level and showed some flashes of great playmaking at Baylor in the toughest college conference, the Big 12.

1. Dereck Lively II, C, Duke

It's no secret the Mavericks struggled inside this season. Fans have been upset that the front office didn't do anything about possibly their most prominent issue when the trade deadline rolled around. Dereck Lively II may be able to fix some of those issues in the future or right away.

He is a game-changer on the defensive end, and his offensive game is coming along too. He also showed in college that he guards both wings and guards well. His decision-making on screens and when laying drop coverage is good too.

Dwight Powell consistently got bullied inside. While he is the longest-tenured Maverick on the team, plays extremely hard, and everyone loves him, he is often a defensive liability. The same went for Davis Bertans, JaVale McGee, Maxi Kleber, and Christian Wood. Lively II is projected to be a late lottery pick, and if the board is falling their way, maybe Dallas trades back and can still get him.

The Mavericks will have even more options than that. However, this is how I see the board unfolding with who they should take when it is their turn to pick. If they get any of these three guys, I see their 2023 NBA Draft as a success.