The Mavericks wanted to take the best-available talent with their only pick of Thursday’s NBA draft, but there apparently wasn’t a player they were comfortable with at No. 37.
They ended up trading the pick and acquiring the 45th pick from Detroit, plus future considerations. The deal has yet to be announced officially but has been widely reported.
The maneuvering netted them Isaiah Roby out of Nebraska. The 6-8 Roby is considered a solid defender and good athlete, although is shooting is suspect. Still, he’s long and has the sort of gritty attitude that should work well in coach Rick Carlisle’s system.
Roby averaged 1.9 blocks per game as a junior last season. He often had to play center, which is not his natural position, and averaged 11.8 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. He’s the first Nebraska player to be drafted by an NBA team since Tyronn Lue in 1998.
Roby had 28 points and eight rebounds in Nebraska’s first-round NIT game against Butler. He also had 20 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks in a game against Maryland.
The Mavericks originally chose Deividas Sirvydis with the 37th selection, but it was widely reported that they would trade the 6-8 Lithuanian to Detroit and get the Pistons’ pick.
More to come.
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