7 Prospects the Dallas Mavericks should target in the top 10 of the 2023 NBA Draft

The Dallas Mavericks decided to attempt to keep their first-round pick over pushing for a spot in the Play-In Tournament by losing to the Chicago Bulls on April 7. Dallas owes their first-round pick to the Knicks if it falls 11 through 30 after the lottery from the original Kristaps Porzingis trade. They were tied with the Bulls for the tenth-worst record, and the Mavs needed to win their final two games and get help to qualify for the postseason. Dallas rested multiple players to make sure they lost.

The NBA is investigating the Mavericks for tanking as the franchise made a business decision. There are still no guarantees that they keep their pick. Dallas has a 79.8 percent chance to retain it, and a three percent shot at winning the lottery, which makes May 16 a massive night for the franchise.

Assuming the Mavs keep their selection, who should they be targeting in the top ten? They sit a 65.9 percent to finish tenth, so for this exercise, they did not move into the top four. Dallas is selecting tenth, and here are their best options to consider.

Prospect Dallas Mavericks should target in 2023 NBA Draft: 7. Taylor Hendricks, F, UCF

Hendricks continues to skyrocket up draft boards after his outstanding freshman season at Central Florida. The 6’9 forward was the 46th-ranked player coming out of high school, but his tools popped at the college level. His playmaking and shot creation are not strong, but the Mavericks do not need that with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving on their roster.

Hendricks made 39.4 percent of his 155 NCAA 3-point attempts as he averaged 15.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game. He has the looks of a 3-and-D forward at the next level, which is exactly what the Mavericks want next to their two superstars. The 19-year-old has the size and athletic ability to guard multiple positions, and that is precisely what the Mavs need.

Taylor Hendricks already declared for the draft, and he is a projected lottery selection. Nobody expected him to be taken in the top ten coming into the season, but the Dallas Mavericks should give him serious consideration after his impressive lone NCAA season.

6. Jordan Hawkins, G, UConn

Hawkins proved to be a lethal shooter as he helped UConn win the NCAA championship in his sophomore season. The 20-year-old wing has already declared for the 2023 NBA Draft, and he figures to be a lottery selection on June 22.

He is 6’5 and shot 38.8 percent on his 281 3-point attempts this season. In his two seasons at UConn, Hawkins shot 37.6 percent from deep, and he projects as one of the best shooters in this class. Dallas needs floor spacers around Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, and Hawkins would get plenty of wide-open looks in Dallas. His ability to shoot off the move could help Dallas add a few new wrinkles too.

There are questions about his defense and ball-handling ability, but teams will be interested because of his elite shooting. Hawkins needs to add some weight and lock in on the defensive end of the floor to reach his ceiling.

The Dallas Mavericks lacked size after trading for Kyrie Irving, so adding a 6’5 wing that struggles on the defensive end may not sound like the best fit, but his shooting will make him a coveted asset that could shine in Dallas playing off the Mavericks' two superstars.

5. Kyle Filipowski, C, Duke

***EDITOR'S NOTE: Filipowski decided to stay at Duke and will not declare for 2023 NBA Draft.

The 2023 draft class is a bit light on big men after Victor Wembanyama. Filipowski may not even be taken in the lottery, and he projects as the second-best center. The 6’11 big man was the Blue Devils' best player this season, and NBA teams may be discounting the teenager’s potential.

He can handle the ball and execute a pick-and-roll. Filipowski only averaged 1.6 assists per game this season, but it could become a larger part of his game in the NBA. The 6’11 big man also made 1.0 3-pointer per game. Yes, he only shot 28.2 percent from deep in a 36-game sample, but his form and ability to shoot off the dribble make it a projectable skill that NBA teams will improve.

Can Kyle Filipowski hold up on the defensive end of the floor in the NBA? He blocked just 26 shots in 36 games in his lone season at Duke, and the 6’11 big man plays extremely upright on this end of the floor. Can he stay in front of ball handlers on switches? Will he be able to stay on the floor without protecting the rim?

The Dallas Mavericks had success developing a big man that could shoot threes and create shots. Now imagine, Dirk Nowitzki mentoring Filipowski in Dallas as the teenager attempts to reach his ceiling. It could happen if the Mavs decide to take a big man on draft night.

4. Gradey Dick, G, Kansas

Dick is among the best shooters in his class, and he has size over Hawkins and others. He is 6’8 with a quick and high release on his jumper. The freshman made 40.3 percent of his 206 3-point attempts this season and his offensive game is slightly more dynamic than that of a 3-point specialist.

Dick has a high basketball IQ, which should help him at the next level. The 19-year-old finished well at the rim in college, and there is hope that he can add even more to his offensive game in the NBA.

He averaged 1.4 steals per game during his lone season at Kansas, and the 6’8 wing competes hard on the defensive end, but there are some worries about him being targeted. He could get picked apart by lead ball handlers, and Dick will certainly be working on his defense as he prepares for the next level.

Grady Dick projects to be a starter in the NBA for the next decade-plus because of his elite 3-point shooting. He has size and competes hard enough defensively to stay on the floor in any situation. Dick would be fantastic in Dallas playing off Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. There would be plenty of open shots, and he would give the Mavericks some needed size on the wing.

3. Cam Whitmore, G, Villanova

A thumb injury caused Whitmore to miss the team’s first seven games of the season, and it put the 18-year-old behind in adjusting to the college game. Still, the 6’7 wing is projects to be a top-ten pick after an up-and-down season where Villanova shockingly missed the tournament.

Whitmore can create his own shot, and his strong and athletic frame allows him to finish above the rim with ease. He averaged just 12.5 points in 27.3 minutes per game during his lone season at Villanova, but there is some untapped scoring potential in his game.

The questions are about his defense and 3-point shooting. Whitmore made just 34.3 percent of his 108 3-point attempts this season, but his jumper has room for improvement. Do not be surprised to see the teenager become an above-league-average shooter in the NBA with some time to develop. The 6’7 wing has plenty of defensive potential too, but he must lock in and compete on that end of the floor. 

Cam Whitmore could pop at the next level with a healthy summer and fall. He could be an elite two-way player if he figures things out. The Dallas Mavericks would love to add his size and scoring punch on the wing playing off Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

2. Jarace Walker, F, Houston

Walker is projected to be a top-ten pick, and he may not be left on the board if the Mavericks select tenth. Fans have seen crazier things like Tyrese Haliburton’s recent slide, which was a massive mistake by multiple teams.

Walker’s defense has scouts drooling. The 6’8 forward has the size and strength to guard any player on the floor. His 7’2 wingspan will allow him to play some small ball five in the NBA, and the 19-year-old averaged 6.8 rebounds, 1.0 steal, and 1.3 blocks in 27.6 minutes per game during his lone season at Houston.

His offensive game is where there are question marks. Walker shot just 34.7 percent from 3-point range over 101 attempts in college, and his shooting mechanics are questionable. There is a hitch at the top of his shot that teams may try to eliminate. Can Walker improve his finishing inside and outside shooting to become a dominant two-way forward in the NBA?

The teenager has immense potential, and the Dallas Mavericks desperately need defense. Walker is the best option for that, and his ability to guard multiple positions makes him the perfect fit next to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving in Dallas. The Mavs have also had success remaking jumpers, which could unlock Jarace Walker’s full potential.

1. Anthony Black, G, Arkansas

The Dallas Mavericks reached the conference finals with three ball handlers on their roster. It always gave them a second option to create something when things broke down. Jalen Brunson was an undersized point guard that started next to Luka Doncic with Spencer Dinwiddie coming off the bench. Kyrie has taken on JB’s role, and Black could be the new Spencer Dinwiddie.

Black could go in the top five as a 6’7 guard with the ability to handle the ball, make plays, and stand out on the defensive end of the floor. That is a key piece of being the third ball-handler in Dallas. The Mavericks need defense, and Black can guard on or off the ball with the size to switch.

Can the 19-year-old make enough shots to stay on the floor as a secondary option in the NBA? He hit just 30.1 percent of his 90 3-point attempts during his lone college season, and he has an awkward-looking jumper with a low release. There would be plenty of open looks in Dallas, but can Black knock them down consistently?

The Dallas Mavericks will be searching for talent in the 2023 NBA Draft. They need someone on a rookie contract that contribute now with the upside to grow into a starter and high-level role player. Can they keep their pick and find that piece? Stay tuned to find out.