2022 NBA Draft: #37 Jaden Hardy (6' 3", 6' 9" WS) to DAL | two 2nds to SAC

[juanc]

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!