The Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are part of the Western Conference Southwest Division of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Mavericks were founded in 1980 and have won one NBA championship in 2011. They are owned by Mark Cuban, a billionaire entrepreneur and investor.
The Mavericks had two draft picks in the 2023 NBA draft, which was held on June 22, 2023 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. They acquired the 12th pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder as part of a trade involving Kristaps Porzingis and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in 2022. They also had their own pick at the 24th spot.
History: The NBA draft is an annual event dating back to 1947 in which the teams from the NBA can draft players who are eligible and wish to join the league. Historically, the vast majority of players drafted are college players. The NBA draft consists of two rounds, with each team having one pick per round. The order of the picks is determined by a combination of factors, such as the teams’ records in the previous season, a lottery system for the non-playoff teams, and trades between teams.
The NBA draft has undergone several changes over the years, such as the introduction of the lottery system in 1985, the age limit rule in 2005, and the international eligibility rule in 2016. Some of the most notable players who were drafted first overall include LeBron James, Tim Duncan, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Magic Johnson.
The Mavericks selected two players in the 2023 NBA draft:
- Round 1 Dereck Lively, C, Duke: Lively was the 12th pick overall and the second center taken in the draft. He is a 7-foot-1 rim protector who averaged 5.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game for the Blue Devils last season. He was named to the All-ACC Tournament team and the ACC All-Freshman and All-Defense teams. Lively is expected to provide depth and defense behind Dwight Powell and Willie Cauley-Stein.
- Round 1 Olivier-Maxence Prosper, F, Marquette: Prosper was the 24th pick overall and the fifth forward taken in the draft. He is a 6-foot-8 versatile forward who averaged 12.5 points on 51.2% shooting and 4.7 rebounds per game for the Golden Eagles last season. He helped Marquette win both the Big East regular season title and the Big East Tournament. Prosper is expected to contribute as a wing player who can score, rebound, and defend multiple positions.
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The Dallas Mavericks had a solid draft in 2023, selecting two promising players who can help them in different ways. Here are their last five top draft picks, along with their grades:
2023: Dereck Lively, C, Duke (12th pick) and Olivier-Maxence Prosper, F, Marquette (24th pick) | Grade: B-
The Mavericks traded down from the 10th pick to the 12th pick, acquiring a future second-round pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder in the process. They used the 12th pick to select Lively, a 7-foot-1 rim protector who can anchor their defense and provide depth behind Dwight Powell and Willie Cauley-Stein. They also added Prosper, a versatile forward who can score, rebound, and defend multiple positions. Both players have potential to develop into valuable role players for the Mavericks.
2022: Wendell Moore, Duke (26th pick) | Grade: B
The Mavericks acquired the 26th pick from the Houston Rockets via the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of a three-team trade involving Josh Richardson and Delon Wright. They used the pick to select Moore, a 6-foot-5 wing who can do a little bit of everything on the court. He averaged 12.5 points on 51.2% shooting and 4.7 rebounds per game for the Blue Devils last season. He is a solid defender who can guard multiple positions and a capable playmaker who can create for himself and others. He needs to improve his outside shooting and consistency, but he has the tools to become a reliable contributor for the Mavericks.
2020: Josh Green, Arizona (18th pick) and Tyrell Terry, G, Stanford (31st pick) | Grade: B+
The Mavericks had two picks in the 2020 draft, which they used to select Green and Terry. Green is a 6-foot-6 athletic wing who can defend at a high level and run the floor. He averaged 5.8 points on 51.6% shooting and 2.5 rebounds per game for the Mavericks last season. He needs to work on his shooting and ball-handling skills, but he has the potential to become a valuable 3-and-D player for the Mavericks. Terry is a 6-foot-1 sharpshooter who can light it up from beyond the arc. He averaged 1.0 point on 35.3% shooting and 0.5 rebound per game for the Mavericks last season. He needs to add strength and improve his defense, but he has the upside to become a lethal scorer off the bench for the Mavericks.
2019: Isaiah Roby, Nebraska (45th pick) | Grade: C
The Mavericks selected Roby with the 45th pick in the 2019 draft, but they traded him to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Justin Patton and cash considerations before he played a single game for them. Roby is a 6-foot-8 big man who can stretch the floor and block shots. He averaged 8.7 points on 50.9% shooting and 5.6 rebounds per game for the Thunder last season. He is a decent role player who can provide some depth and versatility for the Thunder.
2018: Luka Doncic, Slovenia (3rd pick) | Grade: A+
The Mavericks made one of the best draft moves in recent history when they traded up from the 5th pick to the 3rd pick with the Atlanta Hawks to select Doncic. Doncic is a 6-foot-7 superstar who can do it all on the court. He averaged 27.7 points on 47.9% shooting, 8.0 rebounds, and 8.6 assists per game for the Mavericks last season. He is a two-time All-Star, an All-NBA First Team selection, and the Rookie of the Year winner. He is one of the best players in the league and the franchise cornerstone for the Mavericks.
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FAQs
Q: Who did the Dallas Mavericks draft in 2023?
A: The Mavericks drafted two players in the 2023 NBA draft: Dereck Lively, a center from Duke, and Olivier-Maxence Prosper, a forward from Marquette. They selected Lively with the 12th pick, which they acquired from the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Prosper with the 24th pick, which was their own pick.
Q: How did the Dallas Mavericks get the 12th pick in the 2023 NBA draft?
A: The Mavericks got the 12th pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder as part of a trade involving Kristaps Porzingis and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in 2022. The Mavericks sent Porzingis, Jalen Brunson, and a future first-round pick to the Thunder for Gilgeous-Alexander, Darius Bazley, and the Thunder’s 2023 first-round pick (which became the 12th pick).
Q: What are the strengths and weaknesses of Dereck Lively and Olivier-Maxence Prosper?
A: Dereck Lively is a 7-foot-1 rim protector who can anchor the defense and provide depth behind Dwight Powell and Willie Cauley-Stein. He is athletic, mobile, and has good instincts for blocking shots. He needs to improve his offensive skills, especially his shooting and post moves. Olivier-Maxence Prosper is a versatile forward who can score, rebound, and defend multiple positions. He is efficient, aggressive, and has a high motor. He needs to work on his ball-handling, passing, and perimeter defense.
Q: How do Dereck Lively and Olivier-Maxence Prosper fit with the Dallas Mavericks’ roster and system?
A: Dereck Lively and Olivier-Maxence Prosper fit well with the Mavericks’ roster and system, which is built around Luka Dončić. Lively can complement Dončić as a lob threat and a defensive anchor. He can also learn from Dwight Powell and Willie Cauley-Stein, who are experienced centers in the league. Prosper can complement Dončić as a wing player who can space the floor, crash the boards, and switch on defense. He can also learn from Tim Hardaway Jr. and Dorian Finney-Smith, who are reliable role players for the Mavericks.
Q: How do Dereck Lively and Olivier-Maxence Prosper compare to other players in their draft class?
A: Dereck Lively was ranked as the second-best center and the ninth-best overall prospect in the 2023 draft class by ESPN. He was compared to Myles Turner, a center for the Indiana Pacers who is known for his shot-blocking and shooting abilities. Olivier-Maxence Prosper was ranked as the fifth-best forward and the 23rd-best overall prospect in the 2023 draft class by ESPN. He was compared to Pascal Siakam, a forward for the Toronto Raptors who is known for his versatility and energy.
