It wasn’t quite as franchise-changing as winning Tuesday’s NBA draft lottery and securing the rights to French mega-star-in-waiting Victor Wembanyama was for the San Antonio Spurs.
But for the Mavericks, keeping their 10th-overall draft pick was an important moment. Retaining a big asset – and drafting 10th is a pretty major nugget – was the only goal for the Mavericks on Tuesday.
Mission accomplished.
The Mavericks may decide to trade the pick. They might keep it.
But that doesn’t matter. A top-10 draft pick is resource that every team covets and if one of the teams behind them had leapfrogged the Mavericks, they would have dropped to No. 11 and the top-10-protected pick would have been New York’s property.
So, what do the Mavericks do from here? If they decide to keep the pick, what kind of player might they be looking at?
After scouring various mock drafts, there is a consensus that after Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson, Brandon Miller and Amen Thompson will go in the top five.
Beyond that, it’s a bit of a crapshoot.
So here are 15 suspects (not all of them, mind you, and in no particular order) who have been ranked anywhere from fifth to 15th in assorted mock drafts. In the right situation, any of them could tumble (or rise) to No. 10.
Jarace Walker, Houston: The 6-8 forward has a 7-2 wingspan and excellent midrange touch and an improving three-point game. If the Mavericks really wanted him, highly likely they would have to trade up to get him.
Taylor Hendricks, Central Florida: He showed a standout shooting ability from deep and at 6-9, that’s an asset every team can use. He figures to be a combo guard with considerable defensive potential, too.
Cam Whitmore, Villanova: He’s one of the best athletes in the draft and his 6-7 frame gives him prototypical size for a wing player. He attacks the rim but needs work on ballhandling. Still, he’s unlikely to fall to No. 10.
Ausar Thompson, Overtime Elite: For any team in need of defensive help, Thompson might be the best fit in the draft. He’s another wing player (there are a lot of them in this draft) who can get to the rim, but his perimeter shooting is a question mark.
Anthony Black, Arkansas: He’s a good facilitator, which brings up the obvious question of whether he can generate enough offense for himself to justify being a lead ballhandler. Is more comfortable setting up teammates.
Jordan Hawkins, Connecticut: The 6-5 guard had a breakout season as a sophomore during UConn’s run to the NCAA championship. He’s got good skills as a combo guard and clearly has big-game experience.
Gradey Dick, Kansas: With a quick release and classic shooting form, the 6-7 guard showed everybody that he is a quality shooter in his freshman season. Has some holes to fill elsewhere in his game, but the NBA is a shooter’s league these days.
G.G. Jackson, South Carolina: He’s a mobile 6-9 forward who likes to get out on the break and can shoot the ball well when defenses drift away. He’s also one of the youngest players in the draft. He won’t turn 19 until December.
Cason Wallace, Kentucky: The versatile 6-4 guard has a good shooting touch, plays within himself and knows how to impact the game in a number of ways. He’s well-rounded but doesn’t have a go-to skill.
Keyonte George, Baylor: The 6-4 guard doesn’t have blazing speed, but he is crafty with the ball and knows how to use his muscular body to his advantage. He creates angles and openings simply by bulling his way into scoring position.
Jalen Hood-Schifino, Indiana: He’s got two of the three offensive weapons that NBA coaches look for in a 6-5 guard. He can get to the rim and he can penetrate and create. Still a work in progress? His three-point stroke.
Leonard Miller, Fort Erie Acad.: A slender 6-10 forward, he’s considered a late-bloomer who has been on several Canadian junior teams and has shown a flair for putting the ball on the floor and creating offensive opportunities for himself and others.
Nick Smith, Jr., Arkansas: He is coming into the league sort of under the radar after injuries put a damper on his freshman season, but he’s got a terrific shot and many believe he’s got ready-made NBA skills.
Brice Sensabaugh, Ohio State: This is a strong 6-6 player who got better as his freshman season went along. He’s got all sorts of offensive weapons at his disposal and leans heavily on his muscular frame.
Jett Howard, Michigan: He’s got a respectable spot-up three-point shot and is getting some love as a potential three-and-D player at the NBA level. He’s a bit methodical and sometimes gets careless with the ball.
Twitter: @ESefko
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