3 Reasons to be optimistic for the Dallas Mavericks' 2023-2024 season

Young talent (?)

Josh Green and Jaden Hardy stand out as the two young players that still may have untapped potential, but they might have some company in the coming season. Dallas’ reward for their controversial late-season collapse was the final top 10 protected pick that they had traded to the Knicks for Kristaps Porzingis.

Ironically, this opens up Dallas to the opportunity to draft one of the premium talents from the stacked 2023 class. Of course, the Mavericks have infamously never moved up in the draft lottery. Yet, there is always a first time for everything. There’s still reason to hope they end up with one of the top four picks in the draf, and potentially Victor Wembanyama, regardless of the slim chances.

There are plenty of ways to use this pick. In fact, it’s widely suspected the Mavericks may package this with its other assets to make another big swing in the trade market if they don't move up into the top four. While the idea of sacrificing even more future assets may make you queasy, it’s a decent bet considering how much of a dice roll draft picks are.

Then again, none of this matters if Dallas falls to 11th or lower in the lottery. The Mavs have a 79.8 percent chance to keep their pick, but May 16 will be a massive night for the franchise.