Dallas Turned a Draft Trade into Dereck Lively II
On June 22, 2023, Dallas selected Kentucky guard Cason Wallace with the No. 10 pick and traded his draft rights with forward Davis Bertans to Oklahoma City. The Thunder selected Duke center Dereck Lively II at No. 12 and sent his rights to the Mavericks. The final transaction date in the inherited canonical record is July 6, reflecting when draft-night agreements were completed administratively. Dallas was rebuilding its frontcourt after acquiring Kyrie Irving earlier that year, while Oklahoma City wanted another defensive guard to complement Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. The teams used a two-position pick exchange to achieve different developmental goals, with Dallas also moving Bertans’ salary. Neither club simply sold a pick for cash: active NBA contracts and two newly drafted first-round rights were exchanged.
Lively Became an Immediate Rim Protector
Lively started 42 Dallas regular-season games as a rookie in 2023-24, with strong rebounding, dunks and shot-blocking around the rim. His screening and defensive presence helped a club built around the creation of Luka Dončić and Irving, and the Mavericks reached the 2024 NBA Finals. The rookie was not the main scorer but filled one of the team’s most important structural needs. He later increased his passing and interior defensive experience, giving Dallas a young center on a multi-year rookie contract instead of a temporary veteran rental. The inherited B+ grade is supported by his immediate starting role and a successful postseason rather than by claiming he scored twenty points every night. Moving Bertans’ salary also created flexibility for the franchise to manage other contracts.
Wallace Offered the Thunder Young Two-Way Guard Depth
Wallace became a useful Oklahoma City guard whose defense and spot shooting helped an ascending young roster. He played 82 regular-season games as a rookie, appearing primarily as a substitute while developing around the Thunder’s established leading scorers. Oklahoma City also accepted Bertans’ veteran contract, which was more important as a roster and financial piece than as long-term scoring value. The inherited Thunder B grade reflects Wallace’s immediate availability and defensive upside, only narrowly below Dallas B+. Both teams acquired first-round prospects who could contribute quickly, but Lively’s center role had a more direct effect on Dallas’s 2024 Finals frontcourt. The Slight Mavericks Edge verdict recognizes that narrow early advantage while acknowledging that Wallace has a legitimate chance to provide similar value over a different career arc.
Final Verdict
Slight Mavericks Edge. Dallas earns B+ for Dereck Lively II rights, with Lively starting 42 games as a rookie and helping the 2024 Finals run. Oklahoma City receives B for Cason Wallace, who played all 82 games as a rookie, and Davis Bertans. Both acquired useful first-round rookies in different positions.