2023 NBA Mock Draft 8.0: Spurs win Wembanyama sweepstakes

Dallas has a lot to figure out this offseason after what can only be described as a disastrous 2022-23 season that finished with them haphazardly tanking to keep their top-10 protected pick. Luckily the lottery gods showed mercy and let them keep the pick; now, it’s a matter of whether or not they use it or trade it.

If the pick is indeed made by Dallas, Cason Wallace feels like a reasonable bet. The Mavs need better defenders across the board, but their perimeter defense was especially problematic after the Kyrie Irving trade. A 6-foot-3 guard can only cover so much ground, but Wallace is a bullish defender who puts his 6-foot-8 wingspan to excellent use.

He’s all over the place: blowing up passing lanes, suffocating ball-handlers at the point of attack, or flying into the lane as an unorthodox but highly effective source of rim protection. Wallace’s effort level would be a welcome reprieve for Dallas fans who had to deal with the team’s apathy down the stretch.

Wallace doesn’t offer the same offensive ceiling as some of his lottery counterparts, but with Luka in tow and Kyrie likely to return, the Mavs aren’t short on shot creation. Wallace is a mistake-averse passer who can space the floor and bury the occasional floater. He struggles to turn the corner against length and he doesn’t have much vertical pop at the rim, but he’s a good complementary piece for a team with elite primary playmakers already in place.

Check out our full scouting report on Cason Wallace.