2020 NBA Draft

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Green is the perfect starter kit for us.

Physical, disruptive, adaptable. Smart. Willing to create and pass. Isn't ball-dominant. Can guard 2-4. Can occasionally hit a three.

That's what you want next to Doncic.

Yep. We need more DFS-types.

[rimrocker]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Yep. We need more DFS-types.

Josh Green (18) and Paul Reed (31) would be a win for us in this draft. Both are excellent defenders and can contribute offensively.

I still think Poku would be a great pick for us though.

[Scoobay]

thanks for the rec - watching highlights of Paul Reed
he's got a nice left handed dribble
shot is a bit ugly - bit of a hitch? not the smoothest release...
he looks really long and active and springy, though maybe not the most explosive jumper? good enough though...

I'd be excited to have him - he's listed at #34 on tankathon, a few spots after our pick at 31.

[Scoobay]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB6_sWX40ew

Hmmm - maybe we should've taken Bol Bol? as opposed to Roby...

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by Scoobay

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB6_sWX40ew

Hmmm - maybe we should've taken Bol Bol? as opposed to Roby...

And miss out on a DP clone?

[GQ2003]

If we keep both picks I really like the fits of Saddiq Bey at #18 and Tyler Bey at #31.

Saddiq Bey:

https://youtu.be/1NTzHAv952s

Tyler Bey:

https://youtu.be/siGdCUxgG18

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by Scoobay

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB6_sWX40ew

Hmmm - maybe we should've taken Bol Bol? as opposed to Roby...

Yeah, the Roby pick has me a bit worried about falling into old ways with regards to the draft. What a waste...

[EricaLubarsky]

Bey is bae

[Scoobay]

Tankathon has Saddiq Bey, Josh Green, and Poku 17-19 now with Mavs sitting at 18

Paul Reed has dropped to 43 and they have Zeke Nnaji to the Mavs at 31 now.

Xavier Tillman staying in the draft and sitting at 35 - he intrigues me as a do everything type of big though the outside shot needs work.

[EricaLubarsky]

I like a lot of guys in this draft. I don't see a lot of superstars, but I see maybe 20-30 guys with starting potential and a lot of guys at 18/31 that can help us.

October 16th feels like a long way away

[Scoobay]

https://nbadraftroom.com/p/2020-nba-mock-draft/

this site has us taking tyrell terry... not sure about that. comp is Seth Curry +

they also have Poku going 11 to the spurs
saddiq bey dropping to 20, josh green dropping to 28, tyler bey at 29

they have us with Jaden Mcdaniels at 31 touting his upside as a scorer

https://www.nbadraft.net/nba-mock-drafts/

This one seems off - they have us at 21 taking Nico Mannion and Immanuel Quickley at 31. Please God no on Mannion...

https://247sports.com/LongFormArticl.../#150235253_15

they have us taking Tyrese Maxey at 18

https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/ki...lysis#slide-22

Precious Achiuwa at 18

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ts-on-the-rise

Jahmius Ramsey at 18


These predictions are all over the place...

[sefant77]

Amar Sylla didnt declare for the draft, sucks a little bit. Great project to pick at #31, even when there was probably a high risk that the Raptors or Celtics take him #29 or #30

Poku at #18 and Sylla at #31 was my high risk high reward draft choice

[rimrocker]

Originally Posted by sefant77

Amar Sylla didnt declare for the draft, sucks a little bit. Great project to pick at #31, even when there was probably a high risk that the Raptors or Celtics take him #29 or #30

Poku at #18 and Sylla at #31 was my high risk high reward draft choice

Yeah, Poku is someone who would be hard to pass on at 18....especially with Donnie picking.

Unless Vassell somehow miraculously falls to us, and Poku is still on the board, I think Donnie picks him. His skills at his height are extremely rare.
We should pick BPA at 31 no matter what but I like Paul Reed with that pick if we don’t take Poku.

[Scoobay]

Originally Posted by rimrocker

Yeah, Poku is someone who would be hard to pass on at 18....especially with Donnie picking.

Unless Vassell somehow miraculously falls to us, and Poku is still on the board, I think Donnie picks him. His skills at his height are extremely rare.
We should pick BPA at 31 no matter what but I like Paul Reed with that pick if we don’t take Poku.

All things considered, Poku looks like he's going to take a few years to develop. Do we take that risk or go for someone who might be a more ready made player? Does he fit in? sure he's very long and skilled but just wondering if we're looking to turn the corner on things by next year vs. investing in another development.

If we were able to lock down a good 3-D wing in free agency then i'd be all for investing in developmental potential with the #18.

At 31, i'd never really heard of or seen Paul Reed - looking at his potential though he seems like a good match - didn't see much highlights of him in terms of his rim running abilities but if he could do 70% of what Powell does, his defense would be a huge improvement there. He's got that funny hitch to his shot too. I like his activity on defense and his blocks/steals rate is one of if not the highest.

I'm also wondering about Xavier Tillman - again a high blocks/steals rate - pretty skilled big man with good defensive chops. Anyone coming out of MSU you wonder if they'll be the next Draymond. From what i've seen is a smart player and a willing passer as expected coming from coach Izzo.

So for me i was thinking/hoping 3/D wing at 18 and defense first big at 31. Poku is intriguing for sure but only if we think we can upgrade with a good 3/D wing through FA.

[rimrocker]

Originally Posted by Scoobay

All things considered, Poku looks like he's going to take a few years to develop. Do we take that risk or go for someone who might be a more ready made player? Does he fit in? sure he's very long and skilled but just wondering if we're looking to turn the corner on things by next year vs. investing in another development.

If we were able to lock down a good 3-D wing in free agency then i'd be all for investing in developmental potential with the #18.

At 31, i'd never really heard of or seen Paul Reed - looking at his potential though he seems like a good match - didn't see much highlights of him in terms of his rim running abilities but if he could do 70% of what Powell does, his defense would be a huge improvement there. He's got that funny hitch to his shot too. I like his activity on defense and his blocks/steals rate is one of if not the highest.

I'm also wondering about Xavier Tillman - again a high blocks/steals rate - pretty skilled big man with good defensive chops. Anyone coming out of MSU you wonder if they'll be the next Draymond. From what i've seen is a smart player and a willing passer as expected coming from coach Izzo.

So for me i was thinking/hoping 3/D wing at 18 and defense first big at 31. Poku is intriguing for sure but only if we think we can upgrade with a good 3/D wing through FA.

I agree about a 3-D wing and there are several that would make sense for us like Josh Green, RJ Hampton, Saddiq Bey, Tyler Bey, Desmond Bane, Devin Vassell, Aaron Nesmith, and Patrick Williams.
Those last 3 would have to be traded for but I agree one of those on the list will most likely be in a Mavs uniform next season if we keep the pick.

I just think the upside of Poku is too high for Donnie to pass up. His game still seems similar to Ginobli's to me but in a longer body and even though he may not fill an immediate need, he could solidify our frontline rotation and contribute on both ends.
There will be some development time for him but in our system I don't think it will take as long as some are predicting. Long, decent defender, can shoot, can handle the ball like a guard, and seems to have a good BBIQ. His weaknesses (lack of strength, inconsistent shooter, foul prone, etc...) should all strengthen with maturity.

[mac222b]

I think we are in a good position to get two solid contributors. Would be ok with them moving up a few spots for a player but I hope they don’t trade the picks for a vet. We will need young players on cheap contracts to compete or for trade purposes.

Players I would move up for if they drop to 14-15 range: Precious, Vassell and Patrick Williams. I’ll have to look more at Poku. I’ve become pretty enamoured of Precious lately. I have a feeling he will move up the board though. Too much athleticism and raw talent there.

[Scoobay]

Originally Posted by mac222b

I think we are in a good position to get two solid contributors. Would be ok with them moving up a few spots for a player but I hope they don’t trade the picks for a vet. We will need young players on cheap contracts to compete or for trade purposes.

Players I would move up for if they drop to 14-15 range: Precious, Vassell and Patrick Williams. I’ll have to look more at Poku. I’ve become pretty enamoured of Precious lately. I have a feeling he will move up the board though. Too much athleticism and raw talent there.

hadn't really looked at Precious - watching vid of him now makes me think of the type of guy that will just wear you out. relentless athlete that's almost impossible to box out fully. Seems to have a pretty good handle and can finish with either hand. All the mocks i've seen have him going late lottery - no later than 14-15. one can hope though - he does look like he'd give us a huge athleticism boost.

[rimrocker]

Originally Posted by mac222b

I think we are in a good position to get two solid contributors. Would be ok with them moving up a few spots for a player but I hope they don’t trade the picks for a vet. We will need young players on cheap contracts to compete or for trade purposes.

Players I would move up for if they drop to 14-15 range: Precious, Vassell and Patrick Williams. I’ll have to look more at Poku. I’ve become pretty enamoured of Precious lately. I have a feeling he will move up the board though. Too much athleticism and raw talent there.

I could see the Mavs aggressively moving up to get Vassell with both picks and maybe a future pick or two but I do think they'll dangle both picks for a proven veteran wing first.

I personally think the draft should be more about acquiring talent than focusing solely on need, especially for a young team like ours. Poku is too risky to take in the lotto but he is the type of player that teams picking in the back half of the 1st round should definitely consider taking a chance on. Poku isn't an immediate need but he is an excellent fit for our system which is something that should definitely be considered imo.

[sefant77]

Originally Posted by rimrocker

I could see the Mavs aggressively moving up to get Vassell with both picks and maybe a future pick or two but I do think they'll dangle both picks for a proven veteran wing first.

I personally think the draft should be more about acquiring talent than focusing solely on need, especially for a young team like ours. Poku is too risky to take in the lotto but he is the type of player that teams picking in the back half of the 1st round should definitely consider taking a chance on. Poku isn't an immediate need but he is an excellent fit for our system which is something that should definitely be considered imo.

Vassell is such a classic Spurs pick, i just dont see him falling past #11 and a lot of mocks have him going to the Spurs. I also dont see any team in the #10-#17 range looking to trade down to pick up #31. All the teams either have allready multiple picks or are allready full of young player.

And i agree with the talent over need or contributor from year 1. We have eight guys under contract until at least 2022, so we are in the position to take a project. We dont need desperately a guy who is able to contribute from day one.

So yeah, Poku is my guy. Same goes with #31. Im okay with taking a risky guy over one with a limited ceiling.

[BPo001]

1. Timberwolves
2. Warriors
3. Hornets
4. Bulls
5. Cavs

Let the mock drafts begin!

[MFFL]

18. Dallas Mavericks
Kira Lewis Jr. | 6-3 guard | 19 years old, sophomore | Alabama

Opposing college coaches and Vecenie breakdown of Lewis (Aug. 19)

I have Lewis much higher than this on my personal board, at No. 9. And the Mavericks already have Luka Doncic taking up a ton of possessions as a lead ballhandler. So why take another one? I think Dallas could really use an open-court dimension in transition that it doesn’t currently have. Plus, for me, Lewis would be the highest upside player remaining on the board here. He’s arguably the fastest player in the draft, and was the perfect player for Alabama’s uptempo offensive adjustment going from Avery Johnson to Nate Oats.

He averaged 18.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game. He also hit 36.6 percent of his 3-point attempts and snatched 1.8 steals for the second-straight season. That makes him one of three high-major players in the last three decades to hit those numbers. He was remarkably productive for having played a majority of his sophomore season at 18 years old. More importantly though, he started to slow down and become an even more impressive halfcourt distributor and playmaker. His live-dribble passing took a leap this season, and I think that would mesh well within this offense. Most importantly, I think he can play off the ball, too, due to his shooting ability, meaning he can share a backcourt with Doncic.

I do think the Mavericks would likely prefer that a wing fell to them in this spot, such as Saddiq Bey, Aaron Nesmith or Devin Vassell. But there is a chance that such a wing does not fall. I’d also look for Dallas to be interested in a few international prospects here, as its scouting department overseas is among the best in the league. Lewis should hear his name called somewhere between No. 10 and 20.

[MFFL]

31. Dallas Mavericks (via GSW)
Robert Woodard | 6-7 wing/forward | 20 years old, sophomore | Mississippi State

Woodard is 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan and a terrific combination of power and athleticism. He hit over 40 percent from 3 this season while averaging 11 points per game. He also has good footwork on defense that should allow him to defend perimeter players. The big key here comes with his ballhandling and quick-decision-making. He’s not particularly good at either right now, and will likely need some more time in the G League to develop those skills. Also, there is some concern about the big leap in 3-point shooting and relatively small volume. But this is a player type that the entire NBA is looking to add. He’ll be in the mix for a few teams near the end of the first round, and should almost certainly hear his name called in the top 40. There are too many teams that want guys like this, including Dallas. The Mavericks could use more two-way potential next to Luka Doncic, especially ones that play on the wing.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by MFFL

31. Dallas Mavericks (via GSW)
Robert Woodard | 6-7 wing/forward | 20 years old, sophomore | Mississippi State

Woodard is 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan and a terrific combination of power and athleticism. He hit over 40 percent from 3 this season while averaging 11 points per game. He also has good footwork on defense that should allow him to defend perimeter players. The big key here comes with his ballhandling and quick-decision-making. He’s not particularly good at either right now, and will likely need some more time in the G League to develop those skills. Also, there is some concern about the big leap in 3-point shooting and relatively small volume. But this is a player type that the entire NBA is looking to add. He’ll be in the mix for a few teams near the end of the first round, and should almost certainly hear his name called in the top 40. There are too many teams that want guys like this, including Dallas. The Mavericks could use more two-way potential next to Luka Doncic, especially ones that play on the wing.

There are like 8-10 great wings who can defend and hit the three. I expect at least a couple to be available at 18 and at least one more at 31.

[MFFL]

Nothing against Kira Lewis Jr but I think we have enough point guards. A 3&D wing at both spots please

[Bryan_Wilson]

Nesmith is my favorite if he slides. I just really like how well he moves off the ball on offense. He has good length for development on defense too. He could literally slide in and be a threat with Luka playmaking for him.

[EricaLubarsky]

Depth chart with guys potentially gone in bold

KP/Powell/Boban/WCS
Kleber/MKG
DFS//Jackson/Lee
THJ/Curry
Doncic/Brunson/Burke/Wright/Barea

WCS and THJ are player option and will probably opt out for more $
Burke and MKG are expiring and probably willing to re-sign if the money is right
Lee and Barea are expiring and may retire/coach

Depth chart of only guys under contract next year

KP/Powell/Boban/???
Kleber/???/???
DFS//Jackson/???
???/Curry/???
Doncic/Brunson

I'd say that SG is our biggest need, but if we retain THJ, then I'd say get a 3/d Wing and/or a combo forward with the length to defend the new quick/strong/long forwards like Giannis and HArrell

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Yep, back to not taking the draft seriously...

https://twitter.com/All_Things_Mavs/...73087066165249

[EricaLubarsky]

s

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Yep, back to not taking the draft seriously...

https://twitter.com/All_Things_Mavs/...73087066165249

In a normal world, that would mean absolutely nothing. It literally means teams are calling Mavs and Mavs are like, "yeah that's one of the things we have to offer" and a team would be mentally deranged to be like, "no, we're not even taking offers on the pick. It's sacred". Honestly the only trade asset that should be off limits is Luka. KP? Sure. Curry? Sure. THJ? SnT. Brunson? Make it worth my time. As long as we win the trade, we should be offering everything.

Then again, this is the Mavs. I really hope it means that they value the pick but are willing to hear offers (which they 100% should do) and not that they think the draft is useless (which they have done in the past).

[MFFL]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Yep, back to not taking the draft seriously...

https://twitter.com/All_Things_Mavs/...73087066165249

The Mavs aren't very good at the draft (Luka excepted) so trading away picks doesn't bother me at all

[sefant77]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Depth chart with guys potentially gone in bold

KP/Powell/Boban/WCS
Kleber/MKG
DFS//Jackson/Lee
THJ/Curry
Doncic/Brunson/Burke/Wright/Barea

WCS and THJ are player option and will probably opt out for more $
Burke and MKG are expiring and probably willing to re-sign if the money is right

THJ is not opting out, that would be insane. FA market is pretty dead regarding teams with cap space and the few teams with cap, i dont see how any of those teams are interested in THJ. I also think the Mavs are not interested in locking him up on a multiyear deal one year before the big 2021 FA

[sefant77]

Originally Posted by MFFL

The Mavs aren't very good at the draft (Luka excepted) so trading away picks doesn't bother me at all

Yeah the Brunson pick two years ago sucked too, right? Lets just throw away all picks...

And lol at any Mavs insider info from the failing SI. If this is a fact, Stein and McMahon would have this info long before SI but yet. The Mavs will never ever trade this pick without knowing who is available....

[mac222b]

Originally Posted by sefant77

THJ is not opting out, that would be insane. FA market is pretty dead regarding teams with cap space and the few teams with cap, i dont see how any of those teams are interested in THJ. I also think the Mavs are not interested in locking him up on a multiyear deal one year before the big 2021 FA

I agree. THJ would be a candidate for MLE from some teams and maybe could get someone to give him 3-36m or something. He can make half of that next season as he’s due 18m and then get the same MLE or more if he has a good season.

[mac222b]

Originally Posted by Bryan_Wilson

Nesmith is my favorite if he slides. I just really like how well he moves off the ball on offense. He has good length for development on defense too. He could literally slide in and be a threat with Luka playmaking for him.

Would love Nesmith but doubt he slides. He’s solidly built too. Scouting reports I’ve read say he’s a willing defender, probably never elite but potentially good defender if I’m remembering right.

[mac222b]

I’m going to take a closer look at Tyler Bey. 6-7 215 good athlete, 7-1 wingspan, good ft shooter and really improved from 3. Exactly the kind of guy we need. Would love to get more twitchy athletes ideally.

[MFFL]

Originally Posted by sefant77

Yeah the Brunson pick two years ago sucked too, right? Lets just throw away all ...

Lol

One backup in HOW many years?

[mac222b]

Originally Posted by MFFL

Lol

One backup in HOW many years?

They also drafted Jae Crowder in the second round though it was quite long ago. But then of course they limited his role and traded him and Wright and a 1st for Rondo. I think that was also the Cunningham and Sarge draft. So 1 for 3 and then misjudged the guy they hit on haha!

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by MFFL

Lol

One backup in HOW many years?

I know it's not the cool thing to do, but actually look at the stats from a couple of angles.

1) When you only look at the results of the draft independent of where we drafted, we've had since, 2000, we are 20th in the league, which is bottom third of teams (measured by an average of career PER of all our picks together). Only nine teams got less talent out of the draft in the last two decades.

2) When you look at average success corrected for draft position, we are 10th best and that's before Luka's full career brings that even higher. When corrected for how bad our draft position was, we draft better than our draft position almost every time. When we have a good pick, we generally get a good or even better player. When we have a middling pick, we get a middling or better player. Since 2000, we've actually beat the odds on the picks we've had. When we get a top five pick? We get an absolutely transcendent pick.

Since 2000, the average of all our draft picks was 32nd. We're tied with the Rockets for 28th/29th in the league in average draft position. Only the Spurs have drafted lower on average over the last twenty years. When we had good picks? In the last 26 years, we've only had three top-8 picks and we got Kidd, Dirk, and Doncic with those picks.

You know why our picks have been so bad? Along with the Spurs, we've been the most successful team in the league during the 2000s and 2010s. We were good so we drafted low. Then we traded down in a few drafts and traded away a LOT of picks.

I personally think that we should use the metric of what we got for what we had. When you compare what we got with what we had, we're a top ten team and when we draft high, we do really really well.

[MFFL]

Sure but you'd think the Mavs would hit every ONCE in awhile. There are 2nd rounders littering the NBA but the Mavs can't seem to hit

For example, we traded our 2nd rounder to Philly for 2 later 2nds. They got a decent rotation guy in Shake Milton. We wound up cutting both of our guys within a year or so

We drafted Roby and he's accomplished nothing. Terance Mann and Tacko Fall were players in that draft that appear to be eventual fringe rotation players

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by MFFL

Sure but you'd think the Mavs would hit every ONCE in awhile. There are 2nd rounders littering the NBA but the Mavs can't seem to hit

For example, we traded our 2nd rounder to Philly for 2 later 2nds. They got a decent rotation guy in Shake Milton. We wound up cutting both of our guys within a year or so

We drafted Roby and he's accomplished nothing. Terance Mann and Tacko Fall were players in that draft that appear to be eventual fringe rotation players

I mean you can make an anecdotal argument and that's fun to do on a forum and Im not going to stop you, but statistically, you aren't justified by the data.

During the 30 years gathered, 0% of #31 picks were ever stars. 5% of picks at 31 were even really strong starters. Brunson in only his second year is already putting up numbers that would put him in the "strong starter" category.

I think people artificially inflate the chance that a pick later than 15 has, because we really have nailed it on guys like Howard But if we hit on only 1 out of 8 guys (12% chance), and the average chance of success is closer to 7%, then we are still outperforming our crappy pick position as much as naming six failures seems to be proof that we suck.

Over the last 20 years, our average draft pick was 32nd. 32nd! We literally averaged a second round pick for twenty years. According to 82games.com, at that spot, 5% of guys at that position every became stars, 0% become strong starters, 15% role players, 40% of deep bench, and 40% chance of being a complete bust or complete DNP. That's an AVERAGE of every pick we've had in the last 20 years. Top 8 picks also only net a start about 53% of the time and yet we are 3 for 3 on top eight picks in the last nearly 30 years, and not only were they stars--- all three of them are HoF-level players (Kidd, Dirk ,Doncic). It's really hard for me to fathom how people can look at the data and come away with the idea that we're bad at drafting if you actually take into account how low we drafted every single year.

Data pulled from Mavs draft history and https://www.82games.com/nbadraftpicks.htm

[rimrocker]

Originally Posted by Bryan_Wilson

Nesmith is my favorite if he slides. I just really like how well he moves off the ball on offense. He has good length for development on defense too. He could literally slide in and be a threat with Luka playmaking for him.

Nesmith is the ultimate Wes Matthews clone.

I still like Vassell more than anyone and Poku would be my next pick.
Nesmith would be nice because he would be an instant contributor and Bey would probably be as well.

We'd have to trade up for Vassell and most likely Nesmith but Poku and Bey should be there for us.

Personally I think Josh Green will be our pick at 18 if we keep it. I'd be fine with that.