Options for Dallas Mavericks at 2025 NBA Draft

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The Mavericks have an uphill battle in the making the postseason this year, needing to win two games just to earn a berth against No. 1 Oklahoma City.
Should the team lose out — the likely option right now — they’ll earn a lottery pick at the 2025 NBA Draft. Which could add reinforcements to a somewhat reeling roster.
There’ll be no solving Dallas’ issues with a single draft pick, but here are three options should the team find themselves picking in the late-lottery:
Egor Demin, BYU
Perhaps the biggest project in the draft, 6-foot-9 BYU guard Egor Demin saw a statistically fine season, but showed he has a long ways to go in the efficiency department.
He scored 10.6 points and dished 5.5 assists for the Cougars as a true freshman, but did so on just 41% shooting overall, and 27% from three.
Demin, of course, couldn’t replicate a fraction of former Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic’s impact. But the team is familiar with the jumbo guard archetype, and seemingly has the time to spare.
Jase Richardson, Michigan State
A 6-foot-3 combo guard, Richardson — the son of two-time dunk champion Jason Richardson — can do a myriad of things both on an off-ball.
He scored 12.1 points, dished 1.8 assists and had great shot variety, canning triples, cutting to the lane for mid-range jumpers and finishing at near-70% around the rim.
He plays a thoroughly high-IQ game, and in tandem with Kyrie Irving could be a great piece.
Nolan Traore, Saint Quentin
Thought of to be a top-five pick prior to the season, Traore saw down season for Saint Quentin that caused his stock to fall rapidly. But he still has massive potential at 6-foot-5 with size, athleticism and feel.
Traore posted double digit scoring and a two-to-one assist-to-turnover ratio in the LNB Elite.
He’s a true point guard, and while he wouldn’t be ready for Dallas in Year 1, he could be developed into a star or high-floor backup for the future.

Derek Parker covers the National Basketball Association, and has brought On SI five seasons of coverage across several different teams. He graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2020, and has experience working in print, video and radio.
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