Wait or move up: Is a draft-day trade worth it for Mavericks?

Is there a trade market in the top-10 selections of the 2017 NBA Draft that fits the Dallas Mavericks?

Maybe. Maybe not.

The Mavericks will begin today’s NBA Draft with the ninth overall selection.

For now, they have only one selection.

A trade tonight is always a possibility and for the Mavericks, it could mean getting better for the next few years while getting rid of contracts at the same time.

One name that’s been thrown around the last couple months has been Wesley Matthews, who made over $17 million last season. Another asset could be Dwight Powell at $8.3 million.

If Dallas can find buyers, the Mavericks could get another pick or two either this year or in next year’s draft.

Dirk Nowitzki turned 39 on Monday, and with all the moves the Mavericks made last season – getting younger is the obvious direction for the franchise.

Dallas likely won’t get Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball or De’Aaron Fox.

However, a trade could put Kentucky guard Malik Monk in play.

Monk is an explosive athlete and one of the more underrated players in the draft. In 38 games with the Wildcats, 6-foot-3 guard averaged 19.8 points in 32 minutes per game. He’s undersized – he only has a 6-foot-4 wingspan – but does have a 42-inch vertical. If Monk puts on some weight and muscle combined with his athleticism, he’s going to be a good player for years.

If there are no surprises and the Mavericks stay at No. 9, they’ll likely have to choose between Frank Ntilikina of France, Lauri Markkanen of Arizona and perhaps Dennis Smith Jr. of North Carolina State.

Those are still pretty good choices.

This story was originally published June 22, 2017 at 11:21 AM with the headline "Wait or move up: Is a draft-day trade worth it for Mavericks?."