Is trading the 10th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft a mistake for the Dallas Mavericks?

The Dallas Mavericks are facing a massive summer that will determine the team’s short and long-term future. They have to improve their roster around Luka Doncic. The Mavs missed the playoffs after a late-season collapse, and they have to get back into contention now or risk losing number 77.

Retaining Kyrie Irving in free agency is the top priority. They acquired the eight-time All-Star in a February trade, but he is free to sign with any team this summer. The Mavericks struggled in the early going with Luka and Kyrie, but Dallas needs Irving to have any chance to jump back into contention next season.

Beyond that, the franchise needs major upgrades, but they have limited assets. Could the Mavs trade the tenth overall pick for some win now help? Dallas is shopping it, but ESPN’s Bobby Marks believes that trading the selection is a mistake. Is he right?

Is trading the 10th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft a mistake for the Dallas Mavericks?

Marks noted on ESPN Conference Call last week that the new CBA makes it much harder to build a roster with two stars. He had this to say about keeping their pick.

"I’ll just add in too, especially if the intent is to bring back Kyrie, there’s a focus with the new rules as far as the draft is a major focus here because of players that are on rookie contracts, on low salary cost here, and when you have two players that could be making close to hundred million dollars, it’s harder to build out your roster outside of your own players. I mean, that’s kind of the message that the league has sent as far as messages to kind of retain your own."

The former Brooklyn Nets assistant general manager followed by noting the new restrictions for roster building when spending into the second tax apron. Dallas has two quality young players on their roster already, and Marks is advocating the franchise adds a third in this draft.

Nothing the ESPN scribe said is wrong, but what should the Dallas Mavericks do? Here is the case for and against trading the pick before trying to answer that question.