Where Dallas stands with picks, trade options to support Luka Doncic

The Mavericks’ entrance workplace and training workers have loved little downtime to begin the offseason.

Even earlier than the Western Conference finals ended May 26, Dallas had began draft preparations and evaluations for the two-round occasion set for June 23.

Luka Doncic and Co. will quickly have a brand new teammate.

Here’s an outline of what to know concerning the Mavericks’ draft outlook, how NBA restrictions may restrict their flexibility and up to date success from their first-round slot.

New for Nico

A yr after the Mavericks’ new management simulated draft prep to not make a 2021 decide, basic supervisor Nico Harrison and crew will truly be on the clock this time.

The Mavericks personal the No. 26 general decide within the first spherical, however already traded their second rounder — No. 54 general — to the Washington Wizards within the Kristaps Porzingis deal in February.

Draft-night expectations

Dallas will look to draft “best available” over want.

With 25 groups up beforehand, Harrison has mentioned the Mavericks aren’t essentially “in control of who we draft,” so look ahead to them to select a prospect who they consider has probably the most potential for long-term profession success, slightly than aiming for one who particularly matches the roster’s present weak spots.

However, if the Mavericks are caught between two gamers at No. 26, place of want — notably for rebounding and on the wings — can also function a tiebreak.

The Mavericks’ workers will proceed to conduct exercises and evaluations with varied prospects on the apply facility over the subsequent couple weeks.

History at No. 26

Dallas has made the twenty sixth decide twice in franchise historical past: drafting Texas’ Jordan Hamilton in 2011 and Indiana’s Steve Alford in 1987.

Other groups have had latest luck in the identical slot.

With the final two No. 26 picks, the Denver Nuggets chosen 2021-22 all-rookie guard Bones Hyland and the Boston Celtics added guard Payton Pritchard, who’s develop into a part of their NBA Finals rotation. Landry Shamet — whom the Mavericks have confronted with the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers in two of the final three postseasons — went No. 26 in 2018.

Trade options

In his first yr as basic supervisor, Harrison hasn’t hesitated to make notable modifications.

But the Mavericks can’t transfer their first-round draft decide till the draft begins as a result of the NBA prohibits groups from buying and selling first rounders in consecutive years. If Dallas makes a deal on draft night time, they’d technically be buying and selling the rights to the twenty sixth general participant they’d choose for one more group, not the decide.

If the Mavericks need to dig into future draft capital, they’ll transfer their 2025 and 2027 first rounders as a result of they nonetheless owe the New York Knicks their 2023 decide to end the unique Porzingis trade and the NBA doesn’t enable groups to trade draft picks past seven years out.

What concerning the wage cap?

Owner Mark Cuban has acknowledged the Mavericks will enter “luxury tax hell” this season — the primary time they’ve surpassed the edge because the 2011 championship season — as a result of Luka Doncic’s max contract extension will kick within the new league yr, and Jalen Brunson’s free-agent payday stays a precedence this summer season.

But Dallas can keep a wage cap maintain of up to 120% of the anticipated rookie wage scale quantity, in accordance to the web site CBA Breakdown. RealGM initiatives the 2022 No. 26 decide to make $1.9 million within the first yr of a four-year rookie deal.

That means a draft decide will mark one of many few situations this summer season the Mavericks could make a roster transfer impartial of a trade or different luxury-tax restrictions.

Find extra Mavericks protection from The Dallas Morning News right here.