Mavericks rumors: Dallas will likely trade 10th overall pick in 2023 NBA Draft

The excitement surrounding the 2023 NBA Draft is intensifying as teams prepare to select their potential stars of the future and reload for the next season.

The Dallas Mavericks hold the tenth overall pick in this year's draft as they tanked the final two games of the regular season to cement themselves as the tenth-worst team in the NBA by record. The 2023 NBA Draft Lottery rolled around, and Dallas had a 79.8 percent chance to keep their pick. Luckily this year's pick stayed in Dallas, and they didn't have to ship it to the Knicks as it was a top-ten protected pick.

Fans have been speculating since the draft lottery on who Dallas would select. It was reported by The Athletic's Tim Cato that Dallas is focused on "athleticism and physicality," (subscription required) in this year's draft. The team is also already reportedly uninterested in drafting Kansas' Gradey Dick.

Mavericks rumors: Dallas will likely trade 10th overall pick in 2023 NBA Draft

Despite all the buzz and excitement from fans surrounding Dallas' potential selection, it doesn't look like Dallas will keep their pick.

Cato reported that the "No. 10 overall pick is almost certainly going to be dealt," (subscription required). This isn't a shocker, as Dallas is looking to build a win-now roster around Luka Doncic, and adding a proven player seems to be prioritized over drafting and developing a rookie.

Teams could be set on a rookie that will be selected in the lottery and trade Dallas an elite role player in exchange for the tenth pick. Dallas needed to keep this pick, as it can be used as a trade asset or to bring in a rookie to build upon their young core.

This quote from Cato could also be taken as Dallas wants to trade down from pick ten. They could trade back for a guy like Dereck Lively II and bolster their defense and rebounding or a player like GG Jackson II with a high ceiling and elite scoring ability. The possibilities are endless for Dallas if they trade back, and that should excite fans because Nico Harrison has already proved that he can evaluate talent as he drafted Jaden Hardy in the second round of last year's draft.

Hardy proved to be a valuable piece to Dallas towards the end of the season, and it looks like he could be a top-15 player in his draft class.

Stay tuned to see what Dallas decides to do with the tenth overall pick and if they trade it. Dallas will get better in some way with this pick, regardless of what they do with it. This summer will be fun and news-packed, and we'll have you covered with all news surrounding the team.