The Dallas Mavericks Have Traded Up For The No. 3 Pick With The Atlanta Hawks


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After weeks of rumors, the 2018 NBA Draft delivered on the promise of major draft day trades. After the Suns and Kings made their picks, the Atlanta Hawks dealt the third overall pick to the Dallas Mavericks, trading back to the fifth overall pick.

The Mavs move up to land Luka Doncic, the superstar wing out of Real Madrid, while the Hawks move back to land Trae Young and collect more future assets. The deal was contingent on Young still being there at No. 5, and Jackson Jr. going fourth to Memphis made it official. .

No current players were involved in the deal, but the Hawks will get a first round pick in the future from Dallas that holds some protections.


The pick is protected for selections 1-5 in 2019, according to Shams Charania.

The Mavericks get a playmaker on the wing that’s capable of slotting in and helping with the ball-handling load alongside last year’s top draft pick Dennis Smith Jr. Doncic was regarded by many as the best or at least the second-best player in the draft, and he has a high floor being a EuroLeague MVP.

The Hawks, meanwhile, land a point guard of the future in Trae Young as they look to move Dennis Schröder this offseason. Young is a polarizing prospect, but his offensive playmaking and shooting ability makes him a tantalizing player.

The league made the news official shortly after the picks were made.