Dallas and Oklahoma City Exchanged Adjacent First-Round Rights
On June 25, 2009, the Mavericks traded rights to No. 24 Ohio State center B.J. Mullens to Oklahoma City. The Thunder sent rights to No. 25 French guard Rodrigue Beaubois and a future second-round pick that became No. 50 Solomon Alabi in 2010. Oklahoma City’s official draft release confirms the exchange and the specific one-slot movement, while later pick ledgers connect the second selection. Dallas preferred a quick young guard with scoring upside, and the Thunder targeted an athletic interior prospect. The difference between No. 24 and No. 25 may appear small, but Dallas also acquired another second-round opportunity. Those assets should not be collapsed into a straight Beaubois-for-Mullens swap.
Beaubois Became a Useful Dallas Rotation Guard
Beaubois made 56 Mavericks appearances in his 2009-10 rookie season and scored at a useful rate in limited guard minutes. Injuries affected his opportunities the following season, but he continued to play for Dallas over four seasons, bringing speed and outside shooting alongside a veteran backcourt. He was on the franchise roster during the 2011 NBA championship season but was not the central playmaker of its title run. The inherited Mavericks B+ grade captures several seasons of an inexpensive guard and the added second-round choice, without awarding him the accomplishments of Dirk Nowitzki or Jason Kidd. His NBA playing time belongs directly to Dallas and provides a measurable contrast with the young center Oklahoma City received.
Mullens Had Minimal Thunder Minutes Before a Separate Move
Mullens remained a developmental center in Oklahoma City, appearing in only limited regular-season games while the Thunder built around its young perimeter stars. The team moved him to Charlotte in December 2011 for a future second-round selection, beginning another transaction chain. His later Bobcats starting seasons therefore cannot be counted as Thunder playing time. Oklahoma City C inherited grade reflects a speculative big-man prospect that never became a regular starter for that franchise. Dallas also held the No. 50 second-round pick in 2010, which was associated with Solomon Alabi, though his later NBA career requires draft-rights attribution. The value of that added selection supported Dallas relative to a center prospect with little direct Thunder impact.
Final Verdict
Mavericks Win. Dallas receives B+ for Rodrigue Beaubois draft rights and a future second-rounder used on No. 50 Solomon Alabi, with Beaubois supplying four Dallas seasons. Oklahoma City earns C for No. 24 B.J. Mullens, whose Thunder NBA tenure was limited before a later move to Charlotte.