2023 NBA Draft Team Recap: Dallas Mavericks
It was an intriguing offseason for Mark Cuban, Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks organization with the impending free agency of Kyrie Irving and pressure to build out a better roster around Doncic after a disappointing 2022-2023 campaign.
The Mavericks were able to retain Irving - and Dwight Powell - along with bringing in some veteran help in Seth Curry, Grant Williams and Dante Exum. Along with these more veteran additions they also infused some young talent into the roster with the help of that disappointing season.
Because the Mavericks stayed in the top ten of the lottery, their pick did not convey to the New York Knicks - this pick will be expected to convey in 2024 with just that top ten protection on it yet again. By retaining the pick this summer, they were able to select Dereck Lively II out of Duke.
Lively II was technically selected by the OKC Thunder at No. 12 in a trade that opened up important cap space for the Mavericks second first-round selection. The Duke center seems to be exactly the addition this roster needs which is why he may have been the most consistent player-team combination mocked leading up to the draft.
The 7-footer averaged a modest five points per game last season but also pulled down over five rebounds and two blocks per game in barely over 20 minutes.
He does not have the most polished offensive game but should provide Doncic and Irving a player finisher in pick-and-rolls and from the dunker spot while also providing much needed rebounding and rim protection on the other end of the court.
With the re-signing of Powell and addition of Richaun Holmes - acquired from the Kings with pick No. 24 with the cap space from the aforementioned trade with the Thunder - the Mavericks will be able to bring the rookie along slowly and not have to force feed him minutes he may not be ready for.
With that 24th selection, the Mavericks added another play finisher on the offensive end that should play off of their two stars very well and provide immediate value on the defensive end. Oliver Maxence-Prosper may not wow you with his box score numbers but he can run the floor in transition, make timely cuts off the ball and be a nightmare on the offensive boards.
He does have to continue to speed up the mechanics on his catch-and-shoot 3-point shooting while improving his overall efficiency but the foundation looks good and he was a career 75% from the free throw line in college. Defensively, Prosper offers some real versatility with who he can match up with and for a player his size does an incredible job chasing shooters off screens.
Much like the center rotation, the addition of Grant Williams will allow the Mavericks to bring Prosper along at his own pace but the 21-year-old is the archetype of a player who can contribute minutes right away.
It is also relevant to mention the local product that went undrafted but has ultimately signed a two-way contract.
Mike Miles Jr. averaged just over 12 points and just under four assists per game in five games at Las Vegas Summer League which was enough to secure one of those three two-way spots. The Dallas, TX native and TCU prospect will now get to continue his professional career in the state he has called home and will be an interesting name to keep an eye on.
Overall, it looks to be a very solid offseason for the Mavericks to rebound from last season that included two first round picks who look to fill the exact role this team needs but will also be insulated by veteran talent to allow them to progress at the necessary rate.
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