Dallas Mavericks Draft Review

Current Roster
PG: Dennis Smith Jr./JJ Barea/Devin Harris
SG: Wesley Matthews/Seth Curry/Nicolas Brussino
SF: Harrison Barnes/Dorian Finney-Smith
PF: Dwight Powell/Jared Uthoff
C: Salah Mejri/AJ Hammons

2017 Free Agents
Unrestricted
F Dirk Nowitzki
G DeAndre Liggins

Restricted
C Nerlens Noel

Who They Drafted
1-9 Dennis Smith Jr, PG North Carolina State
The Mavericks may have lucked into the steal of the first round (though luck and rival GM ineptitude are interchangeable in this case), and got a player with limitless potential that fits perfectly in their system. Rick Carlisle's offenses always create a ton of space to operate, which suits Dennis Smith's game perfectly, as he is one of the quickest, most explosive players in the draft and giving him extra room will make it even easier for him to break down defenses and get to the rim unimpeded. Smith will have Nerlens Noel as a role man and Dirk Nowtizki, the best pick-and-pop player in NBA history, to run with. When Nowitzki sets a screen, it draws so much attention that even the least effective guards have an advantage getting to the rim, and Smith is far from ineffective. If he starts, Smith could easily be in the running for Rookie of the Year because he'll get so many high efficiency looks and have quality shooters and scorers to dish the ball to, something he is more than capable of. One should never get too far ahead of themselves when it comes to NBA prospects, but provided Smith and Carlisle can work together, it is hard to see how this doesn't work out exceptionally well for the Mavs.

What They Need Going Forward
Dirk Nowitzki will obviously return and it is highly likely they will get Nerlens Noel back as well, which gives them a pretty solid starting five, leaving only depth signings. Aside from their glut of smaller guards, (a position they can deal from if they so desire) many of the Mavericks backups are unproven, so they make look to sign some veterans at the forward and center spots. A defensive wing like Thabo Sefolosha or CJ Miles would make a lot of sense, as would a solid vet big such as Amir Johnson. A trade using Wesley Matthews is also a posibility, as he has a lot of fans around the NBA. If a rare miss of the playoffs, the Mavericks look like their back on track to return to the post season.

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2015 Draft Review: Dallas Mavericks

2015-16 Depth Chart

PG: Devin Harris/Raymond Felton

SG: Wes Matthews

SF: Chandler Parsons/Justin Anderson

PF: Dirk Nowitzki/Dwight Powell

C: DeAndre Jordan

2015 Free Agents

C Bernard James (RFA)

F Al-Farouq Aminu

G J.J. Barea 

C Tyson Chandler

G Monta Ellis

SF Richard Jefferson

PG Rajon Rondo

C Greg Smith

PF Amar'e Stoudemire

F Charlie Villanueva

What They Did On Draft Night 

Drafted Virginia forward Justin Anderson 21st overall
The Mavericks rarely use their draft picks and literally haven't developed any of them in recent years, so I wouldn't get my hopes too high that Justin Anderson is on the Mavericks at the end of his rookie contract, but that doesn't mean he can't have a successful NBA career. If Anderson isn't traded, he could be an important part of the Mavericks rotation soon because Dallas has a ton invested in their starting lineup, but little depth elsewhere. Anderson is also the type of player Dallas needs, a strong defensive-minded NBA athlete that can guard multiple positions and cover for some of their less effective defensive players. Anderson can play shooting guard, wing, and power forward so he can fill in for either Dirk Nowitzki, Chandler Parsons, or Wes Matthews. That matters because Dirk is 37 and both Parsons and Matthews are coming off of serious injuries. Where Anderson will really become valuable for Dallas is if his shooting last season was not a fluke and he can make threes at an above-average rate. Pick-and-rolls/pops with DeAndre Jordan and Dirk respectively will be a major part of the Mavs offense, so the spacing Anderson can give will give those players some extra room to operate.

Drafted Indian center Satnam Singh Bhamara 52nd overall
While there are definitely some ulterior motives in the drafting of Bhamara, the first Indian player to ever be drafted, the Mavericks are committed to develop him in the D-League. A 7-2, 290 pound nineteen year-old, Singh needs to first improve his body to increase mobility and vertical explosiveness, plodding centers are a dying breed in the NBA, then it is a matter of gaining skills. Bhamara is huge, but so is Roy Hibbert, and that gains players nothing without footwork, touch, body positioning, and vertical force. Satnam pushed around much smaller players in high school, something that isn't going to serve him much at the next level.

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2015 Draft Preview: Dallas Mavericks

2015-16 Depth Chart

PG: Devin Harris

SG: ???

SF: Chandler Parsons

PF: Dirk Nowitzki/Dwight Powell

C: ???

2015 Free Agents

C Bernard James (RFA)

F Al-Farouq Aminu (player option)

G J.J. Barea 

C Tyson Chandler

G Monta Ellis (player option)

PG Raymond Felton (player option)

SF Richard Jefferson

PG Rajon Rondo

C Greg Smith

PF Amar'e Stoudemire

F Charlie Villanueva

2015 Draft Picks

1-21

2-22(52)

Team Needs

With eleven free agents, many who will not return, the Mavericks are once again in position to remake their roster this offseason, leaving their team needs up in the air. The Mavericks typically don't play rookies much, but this season they might have to. Even if they don't, it would make sense to target someone they think can be worth more than where they are drafted and develop them for a year or two to be part of the Mavericks post-Dirk rebuild. Point guard is a clear spot that could be upgraded, though Rick Carlisle has been hard on point guards of the past, finding a young, smart lead guard to be molded and learn the system while a stop-gap veteran fills in for a year or two. 

Potential Fits

The point guard that seemed to "get" playing for Carlise, was Jameer Nelson and there are two point guards in this draft that are similar to Nelson in that they don't overwhelm with athletic ability but are heady players with good understanding the nuances of the game. Duke's Tyus Jones and Murray State's Cameron Payne could both be starting quality players if given a year to absorb what Dallas wants to do. Both can make outside shots and would be excellent running the Maverick pick-and-roll/pop offense. If neither are available or if Dallas doesn't want to develop a young point gaurd, then the frontcourt should be their next area of concern. UNLV Christian Wood, Kentucky's Trey Lyles, UCLA's Kevon Looney, and Chris McCullough of Syracuse all have potential to eventually replace at least a tiny part of what Dirk's shooting gives their offense. In the second round, a shooter would be nice for depth as would a solid, reliable fifth big man type. Due to the fact that Dallas currently doesn't have an shooting guards on their roster, R.J. Hunter of Georgia State should be in consideration. His ability to shoot should make him useful off of the bench.

Mock Draft

21. Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State

52. Dakari Johnson, C, Kentucky

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Draft Review: Dallas Mavericks

First Round

Shane Larkin, PG Miami (18)

The Mavericks were label to trade out of the lottery, move down to save money, and still get a solid player who can contribute for the team this season. Shane Larkin is a very athletic and skilled point guard who excels in pick-and-roll/pop and can shoot. He is undersized and doesn't have great length, but his athleticism helps. I like the fit because he can run pick-and-pop with Dirk Nowitzki very well.

Second Round

Ricardo Ledo, SG Providence (43)

This could prove to be the steal of the draft or a footnote on history that no one remembers. Ricky Ledo is extremely talented and can get to the rim and shoot from the two guard position. However, he didn't play a minute at Providence because of a suspension and could be out of the league by next draft. However, if he pans out, he could be the next Lance Stephenson.

Projected Rotation

PG: Darren Collison (RFA)/Shane Larkin

SG: Vince Carter/Ricardo Ledo

SF: Shawn Marion/Jae Crowder

PF: Dirk Nowitzki/Marion

C: Chris Kaman/Brandon Wright

What Will The Maverick Do at #13?

Trade the Pick

The Mavericks haven't been shy about waningt to save money by trading this pick and getting rid of contracts. While I'm sure they're open to just trading the pick, insisting on including contacts will limit their options. Dallas can't announce anything until draft might, but seems pretty unlikely that they will be making a selection for themselves.

Use the Pick On...

Lucas Nogueria, C Brazil (7-0, 220)

If the Mavericks do end up using the pick, they'll target a Foreign player that they can stash overseas to save money on the current payroll. Lucas Nogueria is a raw, but very long and mobile big man who has a big time upside as a defensive player. He's only 20, so there is a ton of upside here.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, SF Greece (6-9, 215)

The mystery man of this draft, Antetokounmpo is also the youngest prospect in the draft at only 18. He is a long and athletic point forward with a unique skill set. However he is also extremely raw and hasn't played against good competition in Greece. Many scouts think he's got big upside, but is years away from contributing.

Rudy Gobert, C France (7-2, 238)

The winner of the gene pool, Rudy Gobert has a insane 7-8.5 wingspan and 9-7 standing reach. That gives him something you just can't teach, especially on the defensive end. He didn't test very well athletically, but neither did Larry Sanders, to whom Gobert compares favorably.

Dennis Schroeder, PG Germany (6-2, 165)

One of the more intriguing prospects in this draft, Dennis Schroeder is quick and has a very good point guard skills as well as good shooting ability. He also has upside at only 19 years old, he just needs to polish his skills and get stronger to contribute in the NBA.