The Dallas Mavericks are sprinting their way up the championship contender trajectory. Luka Doncic is a star and the supporting cast has already exceeded expectations. With that being said, Dallas must utilize the 2020 draft to further strengthen the team. The Mavericks actually don’t have a notable track record of success with their own picks, as players like Doncic and Dirk Nowitzki were selected by other teams before being traded to Dallas. There are plenty of players available who can become valuable role players down the road.
2020 NBA Draft Prospects for the Dallas Mavericks to Watch
First Round
The Mavericks own the 18th overall pick in this year’s first round. That’s just outside the lottery, so they’re not expecting to pick up an immediate star. There isn’t a great history with the 18th overall pick, but since 2000 there have been some very worthy selections in that slot. These include Quentin Richardson, David West, J.R. Smith, and Eric Bledsoe.
Three realistic options that may be available for the Mavericks include Tyrese Maxey, Aleksej Pokuševski, and Desmond Bane.
Maxey is a combo-guard who had a great season for the Kentucky Wildcats this past season. He averaged 14 points, four rebounds, and three assists per game. He’s an offensive machine with an extensive skillset including mid-range jumpers, floaters, and a knack for attacking the basket. He needs to improve his three-point shooting and has to transition into a catch-and-shoot player to succeed in Dallas. His size isn’t a significant issue, however, and playing with a taller guard like Doncic will make up for that.
Pokuševski is an interesting prospect. He has ideal height, a versatile offensive game, and has the ability to be a top-notch rebounder and shot-blocker. He is, however, severely undersized when it comes to weight and strength. Pokuševski is the definition of a long-term prospect, but one that can undoubtedly be worth the wait.
Bane is a decorated senior from Texas Christian University. Last season he averaged 17 points, six rebounds, and four assists per game. He’s a fantastic three-point shooter (44 percent), a strong defender, and an underrated playmaker. He’s already 22-years-old, so his ceiling is lower than some other prospects, but Bane has all the makings of a great “three-and-d” role player.
Second Round
The Mavericks own the 31st overall pick in this year’s draft. Like the 18th pick, the recent history of the 31st pick doesn’t include stars, but there are some notable names since 2000. These include Jason Kapono, Carl Landry, and Bojan Bogdanovic.
Options that should be available for the Mavericks to look at include Xavier Tillman, Cassius Winston, and Malachi Flynn.
Tillman is a 6-foot-8 power forward out of Michigan State. Nothing on his stat sheet jumps out as extremely impressive, but Tillman is the kind of player that does the little things that lead to success. He’s a major physical presence with his build, an above-average rebounder, and a fantastic screen-setter. Dallas needs help with both toughness and rebounding, so Tillman looks to be an ideal pick.
Winston becomes a great target if the Mavericks decide to go for a big man in the first round. As a matter of fact, Winston was a teammate of Tillman at Michigan State. He’s a polished point guard with a real knack for scoring and is a career 43 percent shooter from deep.
Flynn, coming out of San Diego State, could very well be selected in the first round. He’s a highly competitive, high-energy two-way point guard. Looking past the measurables, Flynn is an outstanding defender and can lead a bench unit with ease.
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