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Just watched a few clips of Kendall Brown. Holy smokes, that’s the guy I’d draft/trade up to draft. Could be an Nba starting wing/forward within a few years. Just the way he moves all by itself is extremely impressive. 

I remain completely out on the non shooting Center-types. Would rather sign someone like Hartenstein/Drummond for the minimum as a third stringer via FA.

(04-01-2022, 08:50 AM)Kammrath Wrote: [ -> ]As standings currently sit the Mavs are picking #26.

Going to be really tough to find a good player that late it seems like

(04-01-2022, 01:44 PM)loki Wrote: [ -> ]Going to be really tough to find a good player that late it seems like

Yes ... although with the exception of Luka, the entire starting line-up of the current Mavericks plus their sixth-man extraordinaire would have been available at that spot* in their respective drafts. That's players 2-6 on a 50+ win team. So there are certainly gems available if you know how to look.

*(Technically, Bullock was drafted at #25 but by that point in the draft moving up 1 is rarely very expensive)

Hollinger had a writeup on Mark Williams in his latest Athletic Column.   Listed both good and bad things.  Said he could be one of the draft risers due to his strong end of year play.   Mentioned his strong play on defense with length.  On the negative he mentions his offensive ceiling is significantly below his defensive one.  Isn't a factor in the post and so far has not shown he can hit the open jump shot.  

overall-  Appears to have the feet to play NBA style defense.  He doesn't like to draft centers very highly, particularly one with limited offense.  The tournament may have helped his stock where he may be an end of the lottery type, but Hollinger things the end of the first may be the more appropriate place.

https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/...3622413312

If the Mavs want to go on a safe route, he is my guy(If Sochan, Williams,Eason or Brown don't fall to the Mavs pick). Basketball smarts and a great motor are always a good combo in my opinion, really se him being a good/great roleplayer in the league, and it's always nice to have that kind of players next to Luka. I also belive he will be a good shooter in the league

I want to see a wingspan on Braun.

Very surprised that Christian Koloko isn't mentioned more on this thread.  If Mark Williams is gone (which is all but likely at this point), I'm all in on this kid.  Would like to see him defend more in space which is crucial in Kidd's system but the clips where he is in that position seem to have very positive outcomes.  Clearly a good lob finishers and rim protector.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6meWYVJMLD4

Also surprised that everyone here is looking at BPA.  I'm on that page if we were talking about the Josh Green pick two years ago but this team seems to be far enough along that we should be using picks to address needs (although I don't echo the same sentiments as the 'we need more talent' crowd as much so that probably has a lot to do with my thinking).

The ESPN guys (Givony and Schmitz) had their latest mock draft. They have Dallas taking Trevor Keels.

Liddell, Kessler, Jovic and Kendall Brown were the picks right before Dallas. Hardy and Braun were right after.  

Below is an article on Ismael Kamagate (ESPN has him at 33).  Dallas agent and worked out (or working out) with Holger.  The article is basically a fluff piece and just reporting off others but still sort of interesting.  

https://www.si.com/nba/mavericks/news/da...schwindner

(04-05-2022, 01:25 PM)Kammrath Wrote: [ -> ]I want to see a wingspan on Braun.

Kamm if Braun's wingspan is negative:


If it's 6'9 + 

(04-06-2022, 02:52 PM)Chicagojk Wrote: [ -> ]The ESPN guys (Givony and Schmitz) had their latest mock draft. They have Dallas taking Trevor Keels.

Liddell, Kessler, Jovic and Kendall Brown were the picks right before Dallas. Hardy and Braun were right after.  

Below is an article on Ismael Kamagate (ESPN has him at 33).  Dallas agent and worked out (or working out) with Holger.  The article is basically a fluff piece and just reporting off others but still sort of interesting.  

https://www.si.com/nba/mavericks/news/da...schwindner

I like this guy.  I watched a few of his game highlights (he didn't miss a single shot  ).  He's not just a bean pole.  It looks like he has a pretty solid base and is more lean than skinny.  I saw some nice passing instincts (short roll passer) and he's already pretty good as a roll man and rim protector (against European competition at least).  I have no problem if this is the guy Dallas takes this year.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lskbcGgXm5k

Yannick Nzosa has me really intrigued as an UDFA.

As far as the centers go, I still have Mark Williams as the best center for the Mavs(but at this point he is probably gone in the lotto, just don't see him get past the Hornets pick). He has good feet, great size and wingspan, he is great rotating the in the hips,... Also great feel for the game and he is also strong... 

My 2nd favourite is probably Koloko, but he is a project. Has very quick feet(just watched an interview of his where he said that he played mainly football(oops.. Soccer  ) when he was a kid(that's great for your footwork), one thing that bothers me is his slower hip rotation, but I really like the progress he has made throughout the season). He started to play basketball really late(when he was 15 I think). He also needs to improve his feel for the game, but he has made some serious improvement in that area this season. But still he is a project and would probably need a year in the G-league and one more in the league to become a real rotation player, but he definetly has all the tools to be a good starter in the league.

3rd and 4th are Kamagate and Kessler, both have their pros and cons, but one thing that bothers me are their slower feet, watched some games of Ismael and he got blown by on switches often. From what I have seen he is closer to Boban than he is to Gobert...


As for the rest:

If Kendall Brown somehow slips to the Mavs pick I would love to have him here. The most important thing is his defense, he is a solid 1on1 defender a good help defender, he could easly play the 3 and 4 and could fit gratly in Kidd's defensive schemes. The guy just has all the tools to be an elite defender in the league one day. Also he runs in transition(the Mavs are one of the worst transition teams in the league so adding one more guy that runs like our kangaroo, would definetly improve that).
As far as his ofense goes, he has shown enough potential for me to be a beliver. He has some passing in him, he isn't the best shooter, but I think that everything else is good enough to take a chance.

Jaden Hardy - For some time I have been realy down on Hardy, but after watching more tape on him,I changed my mind... He is just to skilled to not make it. He is great at creating his own shot, at getting seperation, but the shot just won't fall in. But I think that changes with repetition. Don't really see him being a great star in the league, but a 6thMOY candidate(ala Clarkson). One thing that bothers me is his finishing at the rim, where he wasn't exactly the greatest, and he also isn't a great athlete, but as I mentioned earlier, just to crafty and skilled to not make it IMO.
If he would end up on the Mavs I fear that it would be hard for him to get minutes.

Christian Braun - I've already sing my Christian Braun praises, let me just add that I think he is an underrated athlete IMO. He realy reminds me of Josh Hart. Both the same height, both high energy/motor guys who play hard,both decenet/high IQ players, both strong rebounders,... I also belive that Braun ends up a very solid shooter.

gotta go, I'll give my opinion on other prospectin that range later..

(04-08-2022, 09:50 AM)juanc Wrote: [ -> ]My 2nd favourite is probably Koloko

I'll admit right now that I haven't watched a lot of Koloko's full games, but have seen a myriad of highlights (which we all know is the end all be all!). I'm not in love with him as a prospect. Even in his highlights he makes mistakes that I believe would get him destroyed in the NBA.

He has a tendency to be really rigid in defending the post, and a lot of his blocks come from when a defender going around his hip, he makes a little bit of contact, which leads to a block. Of course to me the contact is incidental, but in the NBA? I've seen that called a multitude of times.  

He also has a really weird habit of constantly jabbing his feet on the perimeter. It works in college as most guards are average at best. Of course it's good that he has quick active feet as well, but my issue here is that while it's very active, it's not reactive. Just a ton of wasted movement. At the NBA level when literally 1 misplaced foot is the difference between a block, foul, or layup, I can see him getting absolutely torched by a guard in the PnR. That habit alone makes me not want to touch him. 

Again, these could all be one-offs and he's a fine player, but if he's making these small mistakes in highlight vids that are supposed be him only making good plays I can't imagine the other mistakes he does in a full 40 min game.

(04-08-2022, 10:35 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: [ -> ]I'll admit right now that I haven't watched a lot of Koloko's full games, but have seen a myriad of highlights (which we all know is the end all be all!). I'm not in love with him as a prospect. Even in his highlights he makes mistakes that I believe would get him destroyed in the NBA.

He has a tendency to be really rigid in defending the post, and a lot of his blocks come from when a defender going around his hip, he makes a little bit of contact, which leads to a block. Of course to me the contact is incidental, but in the NBA? I've seen that called a multitude of times.  

He also has a really weird habit of constantly jabbing his feet on the perimeter. It works in college as most guards are average at best. Of course it's good that he has quick active feet as well, but my issue here is that while it's very active, it's not reactive. Just a ton of wasted movement. At the NBA level when literally 1 misplaced foot is the difference between a block, foul, or layup, I can see him getting absolutely torched by a guard in the PnR. That habit alone makes me not want to touch him. 

Again, these could all be one-offs and he's a fine player, but if he's making these small mistakes in highlight vids that are supposed be him only making good plays I can't imagine the other mistakes he does in a full 40 min game.

Anyone who starts their sports path the same way as the great Hakeem Olajuwon is good in my book!!!

(04-08-2022, 10:35 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: [ -> ]I'll admit right now that I haven't watched a lot of Koloko's full games, but have seen a myriad of highlights (which we all know is the end all be all!). I'm not in love with him as a prospect. Even in his highlights he makes mistakes that I believe would get him destroyed in the NBA.

He has a tendency to be really rigid in defending the post, and a lot of his blocks come from when a defender going around his hip, he makes a little bit of contact, which leads to a block. Of course to me the contact is incidental, but in the NBA? I've seen that called a multitude of times.  

He also has a really weird habit of constantly jabbing his feet on the perimeter. It works in college as most guards are average at best. Of course it's good that he has quick active feet as well, but my issue here is that while it's very active, it's not reactive. Just a ton of wasted movement. At the NBA level when literally 1 misplaced foot is the difference between a block, foul, or layup, I can see him getting absolutely torched by a guard in the PnR. That habit alone makes me not want to touch him. 

Again, these could all be one-offs and he's a fine player, but if he's making these small mistakes in highlight vids that are supposed be him only making good plays I can't imagine the other mistakes he does in a full 40 min game.

Things like this is why I said that he is a project, who will need time to develop those little things. But it is fixable in my opinion. He can be out of position, but he was in right position more often than not. 

For example there were many times Kamagate was left on an island like this, now imagine that in the NBA...
https://twitter.com/thunder_draft/status...1613987841

(04-08-2022, 11:33 AM)juanc Wrote: [ -> ]Things like this is why I said that he is a project, who will need time to develop those little things. But it is fixable in my opinion. He can be out of position, but he was in right position more often than not. 

For example there were many times Kamagate was left on an island like this, now imagine that in the NBA...

Absolutely fair that those things are fixable. I'm coming from the idea that the Mavs want their guy to be as ready as possible to compete since we're gearing up to be contenders. 

Of course that's what I felt in the 2020 draft as well... 

In any case we're in agreement that Mark Williams is the number 1 center on the board. A guy that seems to be dropping in some mocks is Jalen Duren, who is another center I really like (though not as much as Williams). 

I also agree that Kessler and Kamagate are the biggest projects and personally I'd steer clear. If there are no centers available the guy I've had my eyes on since January has been Ochai Agbaji. Seems like the perfect 2 guard for Kidd's system.

(04-08-2022, 08:48 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: [ -> ]Yannick Nzosa has me really intrigued as an UDFA.

Completly agree. I would personally look for a center in a 2 round pick (if we had it) or. a through the list of undrafted players, while in 1 round i would be taking the most talented player.

The thing is, Kamagate and Koloko are still a lot of more of a project and will surrely need a time, but in this years draft there is also few players who are not far behind them and can probably go undrafted (interesting thing is that Nbadraftroom have Kamagate undrafted at 60 behind some of those guys) . 

First of them is:

- Khalifa Diop from Gran Canaria.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2R_2Cy1RMw

- Ibou Dianko Badji (Barcelona 2 team)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7EhWQfS9bg

- Yannick Nzosa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2a3w6NGdkc

In the first round interesting players are:

- Patrick Baldwin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zg5FsL0Ywcg

- EJ Liddel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y53KnyFxskw

- Malaki Branham

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIx9YLUOGaM

- Bryce McGowens

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DsNjj1MjV4

Kendall Brown is also interesting, but i'm a little afraid of his offensive upside. Hardy and Agbaji will probably go higher and outside our pick range.

(04-08-2022, 11:44 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: [ -> ]Absolutely fair that those things are fixable. I'm coming from the idea that the Mavs want their guy to be as ready as possible to compete since we're gearing up to be contenders. 

Of course that's what I felt in the 2020 draft as well... 

In any case we're in agreement that Mark Williams is the number 1 center on the board. A guy that seems to be dropping in some mocks is Jalen Duren, who is another center I really like (though not as much as Williams). 

I also agree that Kessler and Kamagate are the biggest projects and personally I'd steer clear. If there are no centers available the guy I've had my eyes on since January has been Ochai Agbaji. Seems like the perfect 2 guard for Kidd's system.

The Mavs still have some serious improvements to make to be real contenders IMO. With the current roster and the assets they have, it's hard for me to imagine them winning the chip in the next 2 years, even if Luka goes all superhuman, it's still the lack of talent that worries me. And that's why I think it's better to go the BPA route and be patient(Also I would love how this forum would just throw the poor guy we draft under the bus, declaring him as a bust, etc  ). Or in the Mavs scenarion. What player would look the best next to Luka, what kind of players does he like next to him. Right now I would say that the priorities are:

1. Defense(we all have seen the power of defense this season, and I think it is crucial to keep adding good/great defenders next to Luka in order to win a ring)
2. Athleticism(thins kind of goes in the defense department, but just athletic and smart players that play defense, somehow what Boston and Toronto are doing)
3. Offense(like someone who is an offense only player)

As for Agbaji, he would be nice and ready to play immediately, but is see him asstrictly a 3 and D player. Call me crazy but I think Braun ends up a better player than Agbaji, that's why I am this high on Christian. It's the playmaking that makes the difference for me.

Now as for the other players projected to go in the 20-30 range:

ESPN mock has the Mavs taking Trevor Keels. Need to watch some more tape on him, but he didn't impress me really. On the one hand, he is one of the yongest players in this draft, but on the other hand, he was just invisible/just didn't have a huge impact on the game(that's what worries me the most). He was touted to be a good/great shooter out of HS, but hasn't really been that good this year. I like his shooting form, I like his defense and build, it's nice to see him having some playmaking in him, he is also built like a truck, a nice defender, but that's it. No skill that really stands out. But I wouldn't be mad if he was the Mavs pick.

One of the guys I wish the Mavs don't draft is Patrick Baldwin Jr. He was really bad this year(he was in a bad situation, just everything went down for him and his team), but he should be able to put up better stats than what he did.. He is basically a tall shooter, and we already have one of those on our team(a fan's favourite nonetheless) don't we?  

The other one I wouldn't touch is Jean Monteiro . To be honest I haven't seen much of him, but from what I have seen, I was not impressed. Also to be fair I don't really know much about Overtime elite.

Ok so the last one should gice me some bonus points with @"Kammrath" (just go look up his wingspan  ). It's Blake Wesley . I have seen him going from 20-30, but I think he is gone before the Mavs pick. A very decent/great and functional athlete who can defend at a high level, and who can really take over some games. I am a beliver in his offense and in his shot, I think that he'll be a decent/good shooter, and that can really open up other aspects of his game. He had some knucklehead moments, but I think he is a smart enough and skilled enough basketball player to overcome them. Also like his ability to attack the rim. The two things that worry me are: 
1. his playmaking - he isn't exactly a good playmaker, more of a tunnel vision guy.
2. His usage - this is one of the reasons why his % were a bit lower, but he would have to be more of a offball guy next to Luka ant our other guards I can easly see him being the Tyrese Maxey of this draft. All in all he is a big guard with elite wingspan who can switch, play defense and has an offensive game.

That's it for today, tomorow is EJ, Malaki,  McGovens, Jovic and Beauchamp time!