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

[Winter]

We need the rim protection more than the perimeter switchability.

You need both now if you're going to play extended minutes in this league. That's what teams are looking for.

And you can get that. But I don't see any center in the Mavs range that suggests that kind of player in the draft. Gobert is somewhat mobile and so remarkable in his rim protection that he can stay on the floor against some smaller teams... but only barely. I certainly don't see that type of center where the Mavs are drafting. Maybe Kokolo can learn the skill needed, but I don't think Kessler is ready to guard NBA wings.

The point is I think you know the personnel better when your center has been playing in the NBA than when he's coming out of college. The big 7' centers in college are frequently one-dimensional. Ten years ago, Kessler would have been a lottery pick. Now guys like Eason of LSU are the players GMs are looking for.