2011 NBA Mock Draft: Dallas Mavericks Go West to Nab Malcolm Lee at No. 27

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Jason Kidd and Jason Terry can't play forever, so the Dallas Mavericks add a combo guard in the 2011 NBA Draft

The Mavericks are nearing a crossroads, with several key players clearly entering the downside of their careers.

First and foremost, the Mavs need to look to get younger on the perimeter at both guard positions and even at small forward, where Caron Butler's knee injury and Shawn Marion's age have the Mavericks looking for more men on the wing.

Depending on how the 1st round shakes out, Dallas could look to UCLA guard Malcom Lee at No. 27.

Lee has the potential to morph into a reliable combo guard capable of scoring big coming off the bench.

Although his overall numbers (13 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg) won't wow you, he has potential to get to the rim and put pressure on the defense, especially in the open court.

Pro Projection: Lee is one of several underclassman who have no business trying to make the jump to the NBA just yet.

He has drawn comparisons to another raw talent to come out of UCLA, Russell Westbrook. Like Westbrook, Lee isn't a true point guard and looks for his shot first.

But when it comes to athletic ability and strength, Lee can't even begin to measure up to his predecessor.

At this point, he looks like a fringe NBA player who will be drafted much, much too high.

Mavericks' fans better keep hoping Roddy Beaubois becomes the backcourt star of the future in Big D.

The fact Lee is even in the discussion as a 1st round pick shows just how weak the 2011 Draft is.

For more analysis, check out Bleacher Report's NBA Draft hub page

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