Mavericks 2017 Draft #9

[Pinkyring]

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Man Donnie Nelson has really let himself go. He doesn't even look like the same person.

Thats not donnie cant be

[Mr B]

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Man Donnie Nelson has really let himself go. He doesn't even look like the same person.

Thats not donnie cant be

Haha nope it's not. I was just messing around. The other guy is Ntilikina's agent.

[agentofatlas]

We should pick Ntilikina. We need to draft a Future-AllStar and not a future 7th Man...

Ntilikina has the physical requirements to be a great player. With the right workethic and metal state he can develop into an all-star.

Players like Mitchell and Markkannen have a pretty low ceiling. At best you get a mediocre Roleplayer. Whats the best case for Markannen? Ryan Anderson?

Ntilikina ceiling is the same with Mitchell actually. Both freakish wings spans with Mitchell being smaller but having more athleticism. I see both players being 3 and D specialists.

Don't really see Frank as a point. Dribbles more like a wing. Burst is a little mediocre. But his floor game is enough to compensate but only as a 2 not a as a 1. If the Mavs draft him, we should still look into getting a point guard.

At this point I kinda agree with bobsquad in not ruling out picking a bigman. Collins would be ideal as he might be the best available player on the board.

[Darren]

We should pick Ntilikina. We need to draft a Future-AllStar and not a future 7th Man...

Ntilikina has the physical requirements to be a great player. With the right workethic and metal state he can develop into an all-star.

Players like Mitchell and Markkannen have a pretty low ceiling. At best you get a mediocre Roleplayer. Whats the best case for Markannen? Ryan Anderson?

Ntilikina ceiling is the same with Mitchell actually. Both freakish wings spans with Mitchell being smaller but having more athleticism. I see both players being 3 and D specialists.

Don't really see Frank as a point. Dribbles more like a wing. Burst is a little mediocre. But his floor game is enough to compensate but only as a 2 not a as a 1. If the Mavs draft him, we should still look into getting a point guard.

At this point I kinda agree with bobsquad in not ruling out picking a bigman. Collins would be ideal as he might be the best available player on the board.

Clearly, Frank is not ready as a PG. I'd pick him based on his potential to be knockdown defender and scorer. You don't have any adequate defender at 1 for now. Maybe, you're right. If he's our pick, we've to start Barea as well. Barea has been a coach this summer. I'll give him extra duties alongside Ntilikina. Barea's elite in terms of A/TO ratio and scoring in paint. That's where he can help the most. Meanwhile, while Curry could be a rental, I don't want to start him coming season.

[Mr B]

From my understanding even if they draft a PG they will be looking to sign one in free agency. So even if Smith or Ntilikina fall to them look for the Mavs to make an offer to a guy like Jrue Holiday.

[agentofatlas]

We should pick Ntilikina. We need to draft a Future-AllStar and not a future 7th Man...

Ntilikina has the physical requirements to be a great player. With the right workethic and metal state he can develop into an all-star.

Players like Mitchell and Markkannen have a pretty low ceiling. At best you get a mediocre Roleplayer. Whats the best case for Markannen? Ryan Anderson?

Ntilikina ceiling is the same with Mitchell actually. Both freakish wings spans with Mitchell being smaller but having more athleticism. I see both players being 3 and D specialists.

Don't really see Frank as a point. Dribbles more like a wing. Burst is a little mediocre. But his floor game is enough to compensate but only as a 2 not a as a 1. If the Mavs draft him, we should still look into getting a point guard.

At this point I kinda agree with bobsquad in not ruling out picking a bigman. Collins would be ideal as he might be the best available player on the board.

Clearly, Frank is not ready as a PG. I'd pick him based on his potential to be knockdown defender and scorer. You don't have any adequate defender at 1 for now. Maybe, you're right. If he's our pick, we've to start Barea as well. Barea has been a coach this summer. I'll give him extra duties alongside Ntilikina. Barea's elite in terms of A/TO ratio and scoring in paint. That's where he can help the most. Meanwhile, while Curry could be a rental, I don't want to start him coming season.

I don't think Frank will ever develop into a full time PG. Look at his weaknesses.

-Loose handle
-Turns the ball over when pressured
-Average burst/first step (This could be improved though)

Those are pretty big red flags at the point especially the handles part. If he is gonna be a lead guard in the NBA, then he should not just have tight handles but advanced ball moves as well.

Thats why I think shooting guard may be his ultimate position. His weaknesses is not as glaring while he still retains his strengths (size and defense).

As for a pg, good thing there's plenty of guards available in the NBA. Hope we get one this off season.

[Teffer10]

Ntilikina ceiling is the same with Mitchell actually. Both freakish wings spans with Mitchell being smaller but having more athleticism. I see both players being 3 and D specialists.

Don't really see Frank as a point. Dribbles more like a wing. Burst is a little mediocre. But his floor game is enough to compensate but only as a 2 not a as a 1. If the Mavs draft him, we should still look into getting a point guard.

At this point I kinda agree with bobsquad in not ruling out picking a bigman. Collins would be ideal as he might be the best available player on the board.

Clearly, Frank is not ready as a PG. I'd pick him based on his potential to be knockdown defender and scorer. You don't have any adequate defender at 1 for now. Maybe, you're right. If he's our pick, we've to start Barea as well. Barea has been a coach this summer. I'll give him extra duties alongside Ntilikina. Barea's elite in terms of A/TO ratio and scoring in paint. That's where he can help the most. Meanwhile, while Curry could be a rental, I don't want to start him coming season.

I don't think Frank will ever develop into a full time PG. Look at his weaknesses.

-Loose handle
-Turns the ball over when pressured
-Average burst/first step (This could improved though)

Those are pretty big red flags at the point especially the handles part. If he is gonna be a lead guard in the NBA, then he should not just have tight handles but advanced ball moves as well.

Thats why I think shooting guard may be his ultimate position. His weaknesses is not as glaring while he still retains his strengths (size and defense).

As for a pg, good thing there's plenty of guards available in the NBA. Hope we get one this off season.

My biggest concern about Ntilikina is his apparent lack of ability to finish strong at the rim. That is something binary you either have or you don't imo and not something that can be developed....similar to aggression and competitiveness.

[Mr B]

Ntilikina ceiling is the same with Mitchell actually. Both freakish wings spans with Mitchell being smaller but having more athleticism. I see both players being 3 and D specialists.

Don't really see Frank as a point. Dribbles more like a wing. Burst is a little mediocre. But his floor game is enough to compensate but only as a 2 not a as a 1. If the Mavs draft him, we should still look into getting a point guard.

At this point I kinda agree with bobsquad in not ruling out picking a bigman. Collins would be ideal as he might be the best available player on the board.

Clearly, Frank is not ready as a PG. I'd pick him based on his potential to be knockdown defender and scorer. You don't have any adequate defender at 1 for now. Maybe, you're right. If he's our pick, we've to start Barea as well. Barea has been a coach this summer. I'll give him extra duties alongside Ntilikina. Barea's elite in terms of A/TO ratio and scoring in paint. That's where he can help the most. Meanwhile, while Curry could be a rental, I don't want to start him coming season.

I don't think Frank will ever develop into a full time PG. Look at his weaknesses.

-Loose handle
-Turns the ball over when pressured
-Average burst/first step (This could be improved though)

Those are pretty big red flags at the point especially the handles part. If he is gonna be a lead guard in the NBA, then he should not just have tight handles but advanced ball moves as well.

Thats why I think shooting guard may be his ultimate position. His weaknesses is not as glaring while he still retains his strengths (size and defense).

As for a pg, good thing there's plenty of guards available in the NBA. Hope we get one this off season.

Loose handle can be corrected too. Pretty much all of those can be corrected with good coaching. I do see him as a PG. He needs work and isn't ready to start yet which is why I believe even if they do draft Ntilikina they will still sign a PG in free agency.

[k-lynch201]

Well we all know its likely we gave a promise that if Frank is there at #9 he is our man.

As I see it, the Knicks are the only team in our way of picking him.

A lot can go down during the 6-9 picks, with the Knicks liking Rubio in trade rumors, and will the Wolves turn the keys over to Dunn?

We are rebuilding on the fly obviously, Frank fits us. The Knicks and their fans dont want to wait around for a 19 year old PG to help them, they want to win a little sooner than we do with a stud in Porzi.

I think they will take Monk if he is there at #8, question is who else will pop in the top 8 to allow Frank to fall to us? Or we who slide far....

[Teffer10]

Clearly, Frank is not ready as a PG. I'd pick him based on his potential to be knockdown defender and scorer. You don't have any adequate defender at 1 for now. Maybe, you're right. If he's our pick, we've to start Barea as well. Barea has been a coach this summer. I'll give him extra duties alongside Ntilikina. Barea's elite in terms of A/TO ratio and scoring in paint. That's where he can help the most. Meanwhile, while Curry could be a rental, I don't want to start him coming season.

I don't think Frank will ever develop into a full time PG. Look at his weaknesses.

-Loose handle
-Turns the ball over when pressured
-Average burst/first step (This could be improved though)

Those are pretty big red flags at the point especially the handles part. If he is gonna be a lead guard in the NBA, then he should not just have tight handles but advanced ball moves as well.

Thats why I think shooting guard may be his ultimate position. His weaknesses is not as glaring while he still retains his strengths (size and defense).

As for a pg, good thing there's plenty of guards available in the NBA. Hope we get one this off season.

Loose handle can be corrected too. Pretty much all of those can be corrected with good coaching. I do see him as a PG. He needs work and isn't ready to start yet which is why I believe even if they do draft Ntilikina they will still sign a PG in free agency.

I can't see the Mavs signing a FA PG if they draft one....might as well just keep Harris. And with Yogi and Barea under contract it wouldn't make sense signing another one considering we most likely won't be contending for anything next season anyway.
If they are drafting Ntilikina to be our future PG they need to play him heavy minutes at that position (like they did Yogi) to expedite his development and to make sure he is the real deal.

[Darren]

Clearly, Frank is not ready as a PG. I'd pick him based on his potential to be knockdown defender and scorer. You don't have any adequate defender at 1 for now. Maybe, you're right. If he's our pick, we've to start Barea as well. Barea has been a coach this summer. I'll give him extra duties alongside Ntilikina. Barea's elite in terms of A/TO ratio and scoring in paint. That's where he can help the most. Meanwhile, while Curry could be a rental, I don't want to start him coming season.

I don't think Frank will ever develop into a full time PG. Look at his weaknesses.

-Loose handle
-Turns the ball over when pressured
-Average burst/first step (This could improved though)

Those are pretty big red flags at the point especially the handles part. If he is gonna be a lead guard in the NBA, then he should not just have tight handles but advanced ball moves as well.

Thats why I think shooting guard may be his ultimate position. His weaknesses is not as glaring while he still retains his strengths (size and defense).

As for a pg, good thing there's plenty of guards available in the NBA. Hope we get one this off season.

My biggest concern about Ntilikina is his apparent lack of ability to finish strong at the rim. That is something binary you either have or you don't imo and not something that can be developed....similar to aggression and competitiveness.

He's only 70 lbs. I can understand the difficulty to absorb contact and score in paint. However, I don't get it. If he's so light, he should have more explosive first step. Anyway, he should learn at least two things from Barea (handle and scoring in paint). Hopefully, he can have the same passion and competitive as well.

[JamesConway]

New mockdraft from draftexpress now that he withdrawal deadline has passed for the international guys. Rodions Kurucs has pulled out (projected around 20-30), the same goes for Mushidi (mid to late 2nd round) and a few other names. DX still has Smith/Ntilikina available at #9/10. I highly doubt that's gonna happen but I'd be more than thrilled if it did.

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2017/

Ntilikina is also playing tonight in game 1 of the league finals in France. Should be another great experience for him. He had a very good performance in the deciding game 5 last week against Lyon and even won the game-MVP. Gotta admit that I'm really warming up on the french kid. A few days before that he also showed some really good adjustmends when it mattered in game 4. He was really bad in the 1st half, didn't even start at halftime anymore, but played very impactful the moment he came back on the court in the 3rd which lead to the coach leaving him out there for almost the entire 2nd half. He played a major part in Strasbourg's comeback. I think at least the things that are said about him being too tentative are completely overblown. These back-to-back performances are really not common for 18 year olds like him and they go hand in hand with what he did at the U18-tournament when he took over the games when his team needed him to do so.

[JamesConway]

Stuff like this here is something I'll never fully understand though:

Read on Twitter

The same goes with taking pictures with the player and his agent and posting them on social media channels or Dirk bluntly saying things like they want a PG 'obviously' or how they likely won't take Markkanen. If this is all one big, well-thought out plan to create confusion among other NBA front office about DAL's intentions at the draft then I guess it's a good thing, but if it's not then I really don't see why they are doing this.

I guess it's the smart thing to assume that they aren't truly revealing all their plans publicly and that there is plenty of smokescreening going on...

[daoneandonly]

New mockdraft from draftexpress now that he withdrawal deadline has passed for the international guys. Rodions Kurucs has pulled out (projected around 20-30), the same goes for Mushidi (mid to late 2nd round) and a few other names. DX still has Smith/Ntilikina available at #9/10. I highly doubt that's gonna happen but I'd be more than thrilled if it did.

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2017/

Ntilikina is also playing tonight in game 1 of the league finals in France. Should be another great experience for him. He had a very good performance in the deciding game 5 last week against Lyon and even won the game-MVP. Gotta admit that I'm really warming up on the french kid. A few days before that he also showed some really good adjustmends when it mattered in game 4. He was really bad in the 1st half, didn't even start at halftime anymore, but played very impactful the moment he came back on the court in the 3rd which lead to the coach leaving him out there for almost the entire 2nd half. He played a major part in Strasbourg's comeback. I think at least the things that are said about him being too tentative are completely overblown. These back-to-back performances are really not common for 18 year olds like him and they go hand in hand with what he did at the U18-tournament when he took over the games when his team needed him to do so.

I'd be thrilled if Smith Jr was on the board at 9, but agree it's very unlikely. But I disagree with you on Frank, we have to take into account who he's playing against, guys who couldn't even get on an NBA court as a paid spectator, I still want no part of him and if he's BPA at 9, we're better off trading that pick for more assets.

[JamesConway]

New mockdraft from draftexpress now that he withdrawal deadline has passed for the international guys. Rodions Kurucs has pulled out (projected around 20-30), the same goes for Mushidi (mid to late 2nd round) and a few other names. DX still has Smith/Ntilikina available at #9/10. I highly doubt that's gonna happen but I'd be more than thrilled if it did.

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2017/

Ntilikina is also playing tonight in game 1 of the league finals in France. Should be another great experience for him. He had a very good performance in the deciding game 5 last week against Lyon and even won the game-MVP. Gotta admit that I'm really warming up on the french kid. A few days before that he also showed some really good adjustmends when it mattered in game 4. He was really bad in the 1st half, didn't even start at halftime anymore, but played very impactful the moment he came back on the court in the 3rd which lead to the coach leaving him out there for almost the entire 2nd half. He played a major part in Strasbourg's comeback. I think at least the things that are said about him being too tentative are completely overblown. These back-to-back performances are really not common for 18 year olds like him and they go hand in hand with what he did at the U18-tournament when he took over the games when his team needed him to do so.

I'd be thrilled if Smith Jr was on the board at 9, but agree it's very unlikely. But I disagree with you on Frank, we have to take into account who he's playing against, guys who couldn't even get on an NBA court as a paid spectator, I still want no part of him and if he's BPA at 9, we're better off trading that pick for more assets.

Gotcha. What's your personal board (or at least the 3-4 names you like the most)?

I fully agree on Smith btw. If he's there, take him. I'm a gigantic fan of his game.

1 Smith
2 Isaac
3 Frank
4 Monk/Markkanen/Mitchell

with 4 really being the 'ugh'-option. I'd be so disappointed if we had to pick one of these three. And that's even though I really like Markkanen, but not landing a PG or Isaac would suck a lot Imo. It's rather likely though I'm afraid.

And re Frank: I see why there isn't a consensus on him. I've been back and forth on him a ton myself.

[daoneandonly]

New mockdraft from draftexpress now that he withdrawal deadline has passed for the international guys. Rodions Kurucs has pulled out (projected around 20-30), the same goes for Mushidi (mid to late 2nd round) and a few other names. DX still has Smith/Ntilikina available at #9/10. I highly doubt that's gonna happen but I'd be more than thrilled if it did.

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2017/

Ntilikina is also playing tonight in game 1 of the league finals in France. Should be another great experience for him. He had a very good performance in the deciding game 5 last week against Lyon and even won the game-MVP. Gotta admit that I'm really warming up on the french kid. A few days before that he also showed some really good adjustmends when it mattered in game 4. He was really bad in the 1st half, didn't even start at halftime anymore, but played very impactful the moment he came back on the court in the 3rd which lead to the coach leaving him out there for almost the entire 2nd half. He played a major part in Strasbourg's comeback. I think at least the things that are said about him being too tentative are completely overblown. These back-to-back performances are really not common for 18 year olds like him and they go hand in hand with what he did at the U18-tournament when he took over the games when his team needed him to do so.

I'd be thrilled if Smith Jr was on the board at 9, but agree it's very unlikely. But I disagree with you on Frank, we have to take into account who he's playing against, guys who couldn't even get on an NBA court as a paid spectator, I still want no part of him and if he's BPA at 9, we're better off trading that pick for more assets.

Gotcha. What's your personal board (or at least the 3-4 names you like the most)?

I fully agree on Smith btw. If he's there, take him. I'm a gigantic fan of his game.

1 Smith
2 Isaac
3 Frank
4 Monk/Markkanen/Mitchell

with 4 really being the 'ugh'-option. I'd be so disappointed if we had to pick one of these three. And that's even though I really like Markkanen, but not landing a PG or Isaac would suck a lot Imo. It's rather likely though I'm afraid.

And re Frank: I see why there isn't a consensus on him. I've been back and forth on him a ton myself.

I actually am in 100% agreement with your board. DSJ is definitely my first choice, but I wouldn't be upset if issac fell to us as I think there's tons of potential there. My only worry with him is damn we'd have the skinniest front court ever with Barnes, Issac, and Noel.

It's after those 2 where I'd strongly consider trading the pick, not for old aging vets or guys with injury history, but simply to accumulate more picks/assets. Getting later picks to nab a Justin Jackson and/or Harry Giles to me make smore sense than just settling for Nkinnia at 9 cause he's there.

[Devassa]

Obviously I would like for DSJ to be our pick, but I'm not going to be upset at all if we end up with Frank.. I think he has the ability to be Rondo (or Rubio... probably a better comparison) with a jump shot, which is as much as you can ask for in a PG.

[Darren]

We should pick Ntilikina. We need to draft a Future-AllStar and not a future 7th Man...

Ntilikina has the physical requirements to be a great player. With the right workethic and metal state he can develop into an all-star.

Players like Mitchell and Markkannen have a pretty low ceiling. At best you get a mediocre Roleplayer. Whats the best case for Markannen? Ryan Anderson?

Ntilikina ceiling is the same with Mitchell actually. Both freakish wings spans with Mitchell being smaller but having more athleticism. I see both players being 3 and D specialists.

Don't really see Frank as a point. Dribbles more like a wing. Burst is a little mediocre. But his floor game is enough to compensate but only as a 2 not a as a 1. If the Mavs draft him, we should still look into getting a point guard.

At this point I kinda agree with bobsquad in not ruling out picking a bigman. Collins would be ideal as he might be the best available player on the board.

I disagree with the comparison. Ntilikina is similar to Kris Dunn, not Mitchell. The latter has a jumper like Westbrook and playing style like Monta Ellis (in 30th indeed). Mitchell has much lower b-ball IQ. I don't think he's anything more than Crawford or JR Smith in PG body. He's also a poor lob passer. This do not fit well into our system.

Meanwhile, for French Frank, there's quite some question marks about his true position. It takes times for him to adjust. He's the least explosive guard in the lottery. But he's elite physical tools to succeed at next level. His ball-handling is not good enough against smaller speedy PG. However, we may be able to pair him up with another combo guard like Seth Curry rather easily.

At 9th pick, he's who he's. He's the least nba-ready PG in the lottery. To be sure, I like Dennis Smith a lot more than him especially because of his explosiveness and ability to finish at the rim. This fits our system tremendously. Not being able to trade up, then he's a reasonable talent despite flawes.

[daoneandonly]

Obviously I would like for DSJ to be our pick, but I'm not going to be upset at all if we end up with Frank.. I think he has the ability to be Rondo (or Rubio... probably a better comparison) with a jump shot, which is as much as you can ask for in a PG.

From the reports I heard, he's more of a 2 than a PG. I for one am tired of the type, at least he has height versus the Ellis, Curry, Terry, Gibsons's we've seen in year's past, but I'd much rather have a true legit PG, and I just don't think Frank is that.

[Devassa]

Obviously I would like for DSJ to be our pick, but I'm not going to be upset at all if we end up with Frank.. I think he has the ability to be Rondo (or Rubio... probably a better comparison) with a jump shot, which is as much as you can ask for in a PG.

From the reports I heard, he's more of a 2 than a PG. I for one am tired of the type, at least he has height versus the Ellis, Curry, Terry, Gibsons's we've seen in year's past, but I'd much rather have a true legit PG, and I just don't think Frank is that.

The league is transitioning into one where the 2s play PG (Westbrook/Harden type).

Someone who can defend like he does, find the open man, and can hit the 3 at an acceptable rate is too good to pass up unless Smith or Isaac are still on the board IMO.