The Mavs just lost to the Jazz in a painful game to watch. The college basketball season is about a week and a half away, so I decided I’d do a mock that will likely be super far off later in the season because things change. This is going off the standings Monday 10/30, but the teams aren’t too relevant in this, so I’m doing teams for the lottery then 15-30 as just numbers:
- Dallas Mavericks: Luka Doncic, wing, INTL- There’s no going wrong with any of Porter, Doncic, Bagley, or Ayton, but Doncic may be the most talented and most likely to boom. He can do it all, which is an incredibly attractive trait. His worst game so far this season was what a lot of guy’s would call an average game.
- Atlanta Hawks: Marvin Bagley, F, Duke
- Sacramento Kings: Michael Porter JR, F, Mizzou
- Chicago Bulls: DeAndre Ayton, C, Arizona
- Miami Heat: Miles Bridges, F, Michigan State
- Philadelphia 76ers: Collin Sexton, G, Alabama
- Phoenix Suns: Mohammed Bamba, PF/C, Texas
- Cleveland Cavaliers: Robert Williams, PF/C, TAMU
- Cleveland Caavliers: Hamidou Diallo, wing, UK
- New Orleans Pelicans: Isaac Bonga, F, INTL
- Denver Nuggets: Trevon Duval, PG, Duke
- Philadelphia 76ers: Wendell Carter, F, Duke
- Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Knox, F, Kentucky
- New York Knicks: Mikal Bridges, F, Villanova
- Rawle Alkins, G, Arizona
- Justin Jackson, F, Maryland
- Bruce Brown, G, Miami
- Chimezie Metu, C/PF, USC
- Mitchell Robinson, C, None
- Jaylen Hands, G, UCLA
- Gary Trent JR, G, Duke
- PJ Washington, F, Kentucky
- Jaren Jackson, F, Michigan State
- Mustapha Heron, wing, Auburn
- Billy Preston, PF, Kansas
- Moritz Wagner, PF, Michigan
- Amir Coffey, SG, Minnesota
- John Petty, SG, Alabama
- Diego Flaccadori, G, INTL
- Joel Berry, PG, UNC
These are 30 guys I see being worth where they were slotted before the preseason. A lot will change and I’d bet most guys seen on mocks everywhere will fluctuate quite a bit. However, the main point of this is to evaluate different scenarios of how the Mavs would fit with certain top talents. Here’s the rest of them:
- Marvin Bagley III- I was once quoted saying that I would sacrifice a season of Mavs basketball for him, and this year the Mavs have a chance at completing this. He is unbelievably athletic, has good length, and fits the profile of the modern 4. He can play both forward slots and even suit up at center. Bagley’s biggest flaw is a lack of a threatening jumper.
- Michael Porter JR- He’s another modern forward that can play both forward slots, and is an elite scorer, or appears to be. He will have to show that at Missouri, but his scoring talent is unique. Porter could fit well with Smith and should be able to play alongside Barnes.
- DeAndre Ayton: Ayton has all the physical tools in the world, with a 7’5 wingspan and a 40+ inch vertical. He has improved his jump shot, which would put him in the conversation for the number one pick if his defense is at least average. Ayton would be an incredible fit with Dennis, arguably the best, as he is an all-around athlete that has 2-way potential.
- Mohammed Bamba: Bamba has a 7’8 wingspan and will no doubt he a great defender. The biggest question with Bamba is how far along his offense is. Bamba is easy to adjust to and seems like a safe pick early on.
- Robert Williams: Williams had a strong showing as a freshman and is a grade A athlete. He was an incredible shot blocker, averaging almost 4 per 40 minutes. He’s still raw, but has a great chance to improve at Texas A&M in his sophomore year. I think any athletic center would fit with the Mavericks, and Robert Williams fits the bill.
- Hamidou Diallo- While there is a legitimate concern about his jump shot, Diallo could be a very good defender and is about as athletic as Dennis Smith. I think there’s a good chance that Diallo comes out very strong at Kentucky this year, as he has been practicing with Kentucky since the spring semester.
Overall, there’s really no bad choice for the Mavericks. Even Collin Sexton, who I did not touch on because he’s also a guard, wouldn’t be the worst because the Mavericks can play him at the 2. This is the best year for the Mavericks to be tanking, so embrace and trust the process™ this season. There’s virtually no way the Mavs can be in a bad situation, so long as they are in the top 3-5.
