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

The case against the Dallas Mavericks trading the 10th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft

Marks laid out the CBA implications, which are all valid. If the Dallas Mavericks plan on keeping two max contracts on their books for the foreseeable future, they are going to need to save in other places to ensure they have enough talent to compete for a championship. Keeping the tenth pick would give Dallas a young cost-controlled player on their roster for the next four years.

There is risk and upside to any draft pick. Mikal Bridges was the tenth pick in 2018. Paul George, CJ McCollum, and Brook Lopez were number ten picks since 2008. The Mavericks could draft a future star with the tenth pick that becomes a key building block around Luka Doncic for the next decade. They may also get someone who is out of the league in two years.

The Mavericks are not trading the tenth pick for an All-Star. If they think they need more top-end talent, Dallas is better off taking the best available player and hoping they blossom into a Paul George or Mikal Bridges.

The happiness and patience of Luka Doncic weigh heavily into this decision. Is the 24-year-old superstar willing to wait three years for the tenth pick to blossom or does he need significant immediate help now? Nobody knows what number 77 is thinking, but it could push Dallas in a different direction.