Jarace Walker 2023 NBA Draft profile: How can Mavericks land the defensive star?

The Dallas Mavericks need defensive help. It was an obvious point of weakness last season, and the front office has already said that their priority this summer is to improve the team's defense and rebounding.

The Mavericks have to make moves this summer to address those needs, so they can return to winning games and making playoff pushes. They can't afford to waste another season of Luka Doncic's career and have to put pieces around him that can defend and rebound at an elite level.

One player that can immediately help in both of these ways is Jarace Walker from the University of Houston.

Jarace Walker 2023 NBA Draft profile: How can the Dallas Mavericks land the defensive star?

The 6'8, 240-pound power forward averaged 11.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, and 1.0 steal per game in his freshman season. He would provide Dallas with much-needed help in the frontcourt and be a piece they can build around for years to come.

Walker is mocked to go in the early part of the lottery, so Dallas would likely have to move up into the top four to take him. There is little chance that Walker falls to the tenth pick.

Here's a look at Walker's strengths, weaknesses, and how he'd fit in Dallas if selected.