The Dallas Mavericks have selected Duke center Dereck Lively with the 12th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, trading the 10th pick and Davis Bertans to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Mavericks dumped Bertans salary and the Thunder were able to move up two spots.
The Mavericks then selected Lively, despite Cam Whitmore remaining on the draft board. Whitmore was initially projected to be a top five selection, but might have fallen due to his medicals not checking out.
Lively, on the other hand, enjoyed a meteoric rise. He provides the potential for rim protection and rebounding while not being lost on the perimeter.