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Might the Dallas Mavericks trade their top draft pick?

By Reid Hanson

DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 18: The Dallas Mavericks Dancers perform at American Airlines Center on October 18, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 18: The Dallas Mavericks Dancers perform at American Airlines Center on October 18, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Like a lot of teams, the Dallas Mavericks could go a number of directions on draft day. Will they trade their pick, swing for the home run or stick with a safe move?

The Dallas Mavericks are without their first round pick in the NBA draft tonight but that doesn’t make them bystanders. In fact, given their circumstances, they may be major movers and shakers tonight.

That’s because their roster spots are wide open this summer

We dive into those options now…

State of the Mavs

What the roster will look like when the 2019-20 season begins is a complete mystery. We Know Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis are locks in the starting lineup, but beyond that we know very little. The plethora of options make anything and everything possible.

We know Jalen Brunson, Tim Hardaway Jr, Justin Jackson, and Dwight Powell are essentially locks on the team. But all of them may be coming off the bench. It really depends on what the Dallas Mavericks do in the draft and in free agency.

The Mavs are also locked into Courtney Lee’s contract. And it’s that ugly piece of paper that may prompt the Mavs to trade away their draft pick.

Trade the Pick

If the Dallas Mavericks can find someone to take the last year of Lee’s contract ($12,759,670), they’d happily hand over their pick in the second round. Unfortunatly, that’s a longshot given the value of Pick 37.

But Dallas may be able to flip that pick and Courtney Lee for a less expensive player in return. Every little bit of spending cash helps and Dallas may decide a cheap free agent (signed with the cap savings acquired in trading away Lee) is more helpful to the cause than a rookie.

Trade up/down

All MFFL know, the Dallas Mavericks are no strangers to wheeling and dealing in the draft. If the right player is in the right place, Mark Cuban and company won’t hesitate to go hunting.

Just yesterday we went over a few draft sleepers who have huge boom/bust potential. If the Mavs are trying to find a star, they’re going to have to swing for the fences. That means the safe pick just ain’t gonna get it done.

More from Dallas Mavericks

The sleepers I highlighted in the article at the bottom are coveted just about everywhere. That’s why, even with their risk, they may be gone before Dallas goes on the clock. If the Mavs really like one of them, they may have to move up to get him.

But without much tradeable assets on hand, the potential to move back is probably greater.

Stand pat

It’s possible the Dallas Mavericks just stand pat and make their pick exactly where they’re slotted to. If they do that they’ll probably go the conservative route and pick a role player who can contribute now. After all, Dallas needs to build a roster around Luka and KP. And without knowing what the future holds for their restricted free agents, playing the draft conservatively may be the way to go.

Next. 3 Second Round Sleepers for the Mavs. dark

The Dallas Mavericks have a variety of routes to take in the draft tonight. They aren’t afraid to make moves but they also aren’t adverse to staying home and making a pick. Everything is on the table right now.

  • Published on 06/20/2019 at 11:12 AM
  • Last updated at 06/20/2019 at 11:12 AM
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