(04-29-2026, 02:29 PM)mvossman Wrote: If the Mavs don't get top 4, the odds of getting a star are very low. At that point the goal should be to get a core piece. That means a quality starting level PG or an elite role player. Anything less than that can be had with a quality MLE signing. The question is do they have a better chance of getting that at 8 versus two shots at 12 and 17. I lean towards 8. I think there is a drop off after 8-9 range.
Don't think Burries will be another Max Christie. He is a better defender, playmaker and rebounder. I don't know if he will shoot as well as Christie has in the NBA, but he is a better player at everything else.
I probably didn't express that particular thought clearly. Most everyone we're talking about at #8 is a freshman and pretty raw. I'm not sure any of them have the talent now to be playing 20 mpg and maybe not that much. The top 4 players in this draft are almost in a class by themselves. I'd like to get them, but let's not count on that.
If the FO saw other positional players in the 1st round that they really felt were a good gamble with a high upside, I'd think I'd be good with that. It's maybe riskier, but I don't see the typical mock draft #8s as having much upside.