THE 2023 NBA Draft is set to take place later this month, with the next crop of potential superstars set to join the world’s most prestigious basketball league.

With plenty of hype around the talent in the 2023 draft class, thanks to a French phenom locked in as the number-one pick and lots of depth later down the order, June 23 (AEST) will change the future of the league in a big way.

Rookie Me Central will be continuing the NBA Draft Team Preview series, taking a look at each participating side’s draft hand and some potential options at each selection. The next side on the agenda are the Dallas Mavericks.

The Mavericks had high expectations for their 2022/23 campaign, but were unable to qualify for the play-in as they fell behind in the very competitive western conference standings.

While the future of their roster remains unclear, the team is taking one selection into the upcoming NBA Draft, and will be eager to improve their youth stocks in a deep draft pool.

Dallas Mavericks

Draft selections

10

Contracted players

Luka Doncic, Tim Hardaway Jr., Davis Bertans, Reggie Bullock, Maxi Kleber, JaVale McGee, Josh Green, Jaden Hardy, McKinley Wright (qualifying offer), AJ Lawson (qualifying offer)

The Mavericks have secured a top 10 pick in the upcoming draft after falling short of a postseason appearance, and will be able to add another talented young piece to a roster that is centred around Doncic.

Much of the team’s selection likely is based around whether or not they choose to bring back star guard Kyrie Irving alongside Doncic. If they do, the addition of a floor spacer such as Gradey Dick could be an option.

The wing does not require too much ball usage to have an impact on the contest, which would be ideal next to two ball-dominant players. He has shown tremendous shot-making at college level, and would be a nice fit on the perimeter next to the team’s stars once he eventually slots into the starting lineup.

UCF forward Taylor Hendricks could also be an option given his assets could help the Mavericks in a number of ways. Dallas’ defence is certainly an area that needs to be addressed in the offseason, and Hendricks is extremely versatile on this end of the floor.

The 19-year-old can also chime in from behind the arc as a catch-and-shoot player, which would provide a nice pick-and-pop dish-out option for the likes of Doncic and Irving if he remains.

The Mavericks may have only the one pick, but they were intent on keeping it and at 10, should be able to fill some holes and address some needs on their roster, continuing to build around their stars.