Mavs GM on Trades for Dereck Lively II, Olivier-Maxence Prosper: ‘We Killed The Draft’
You know the saying, “you can’t have your cake and eat it too?” Well, that’s exactly what the Dallas Mavericks did in the 2023 NBA Draft, especially if you ask them.
On Thursday night, Dallas traded back from their original spot at No. 10 to acquire the No. 12 pick for Davis Bertans from the Oklahoma City Thunder. With No. 12, the Mavs selected Duke center Dereck Lively II.
Later on in the first round, Dallas found their way back on the clock. This time, they utilized the $17 million trade exception created by the deal with OKC for a trade with the Sacramento Kings by absorbing center Richaun Holmes and the No. 24 pick, which Marquette forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper.
For Mavs GM Nico Harrison, he was like a kid in a candy store as Dallas landed two of their highest-rated prospects.
“We were like ‘which one should we take?’ And we got ‘em both,” Harrison said of Lively and Prosper.
Lively provides the Mavericks with a rim-protecting big that they’ve lacked for so long. With his range on the defensive end and ability as a rebounder and pick-and-roll threat, he helps fill Dallas’ hole at center.
As for Prosper, his size and athleticism on the perimeter gives Dallas a defensive presence that they immediately lacked once trading away Dorian Finney-Smith. In an offense alongside Luka Doncic, Prosper should flourish as a slasher and small-ball screen setter.
Harrison praised the ‘high character’ that both Lively and Prosper carry themselves with. Along with their athleticism and defensive ability, he believes they should have no trouble seeing the floor ‘right away’.
“They solve needs that we’ve been trying to solve,” Harrison said Lively. “They’re long and they’re athletic and lead with defense. I’m generally a happy person, but we’re really excited. We feel like we killed the draft.”
Now, let’s see if the Mavs can kill it in free agency as well.
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