If the Mavericks managed to “destroy” the Draft, it is in particular because they were helped by the Thunder, who accepted an exchange with the Texas franchise. The former sent their 10th pick and Davis Bertans to the second, against the 12th pick and a $17 million trade exception.
Sam Presti returned to this trade, which he did not just do to help the Mavericks.
“Our philosophy has always been to try to go as high as possible and that is very difficult to do,” reminds the GM of the franchise for ThunderWire. “We always try to draft as high as possible. It was an opportunity for us that made sense for both teams in many ways. We were talking about it with Nico Harrison (Dallas GM) for a week and the subject has grown, and we were talking about it every day. Everything went well for us, we achieved our goal, which was obviously to get Cason Wallace. And they too succeeded. »
With their 12th choice, and in addition to making savings with the contract of Bertans (17 million dollars next year and a “player option” at 16 million dollars in 2024/25), the Mavericks have indeed put the hand on the player they coveted: the pivot Derek Lively II.
For his part, the Thunder, with his 10th choice, bet on Cason Wallace, with his defensive profile which inspired a comparison to his new coach.
“He’s like Ed Reed”, launches Mark Daigneaultspeaking of this former NFL player, defender of the year in 2004 and Hall of Famer. “He has great discipline, he is where he needs to be, without being reckless. He feels the game, like a hawk. He played football and looks like a free safety. »
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— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) June 25, 2023
