Ranking the Dallas Mavericks' Biggest 2015 NBA Draft Needs
A roller-coaster 2015 campaign has set the stage for an entertaining, unpredictable offseason for head coach Rick Carlisle's Dallas Mavericks.
First up on the docket is the NBA draft, where the club will aim to enhance their playoff rotation while building for the future. The 50-win squad will probably see several departures via free agency, so there's a smattering of holes to address.
Dallas' midseason acquisition of star point guard Rajon Rondo turned into a tumultuous chemistry experiment. The veteran floor general is likely out the door via free agency, as Carlisle indicated to Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com. The Mavs will also have to make a decision on Tyson Chandler, whose contract is up. In addition, a slew of bench players are free agents, and shooting guard Monta Ellis may opt out of his 2015-16 salary.
General manager Donnie Nelson will pursue some proven stars like LaMarcus Aldridge to help Dirk Nowitzki make a final run at another title. But first, the draft is an opportunity to add some quality rotational assets on the cheap.
What are the Mavs' most pressing needs as they approach the draft with the 21st and 52nd picks?
3. Center/Rim Protection
If the Mavericks re-sign Chandler or land Aldridge in free agency, this won't be a glaring hole. However, Chandler is 32, so it would be wise to think about putting some depth behind him and building for the future.
In addition to anchoring the defense with his footwork, physical tools and tremendous instincts, Chandler serves as a critical piece to the offense. He knows when to dive to the rim to draw defenders, and his feel for the pick-and-roll is superb.
The Mavericks would be wise to target someone who can continue Chandler's powerful impact while the veteran gets a breather.
Unfortunately, there won't be any true centers available when Dallas picks at No. 21, nor are there any sleepers worth reaching for at that juncture. However, there are some options late in the first round to give the frontcourt some teeth.
Dallas' best-case scenario would be to snag Arkansas' Bobby Portis, who is billed primarily as a power forward but has the size (6'11", 245 lbs) and skills to play the 5. He averaged 23.4 points per 40 minutes while ripping down 11.9 rebounds in 2014-15. Portis may be picked in the late teens, but there's a chance he could slip to the Mavs, who should take a close look at nabbing him.
Another option to enhance the grunt-work production of the frontcourt is Louisville's Montrezl Harrell. The 6'8" power forward can punish the rim in pick-and-roll scenarios, and he'll give the rotation an injection of end-to-end energy.
"What Harrell has going for him is that he's a tenacious rebounder and a decent scorer," writes Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News. "...He's got plenty of bulk and his talents should translate well to the NBA."
2. Swingman Depth
In the event that Ellis declines his 2015-16 option, the only true shooting guard or small forward on the roster would be Chandler Parsons, and that's simply not enough swingman power.
The Mavericks need to look at some wings who can fit into their perimeter-oriented offense while improving the team's defense. Dallas' mediocre defensive effort and execution at the 2 and 3 is part of the reason it surrendered the most triples per game and the fourth-highest three-point percentage in 2014-15.
Their ideal fit for 2015-16 and beyond would be a tall 2-guard who can shoot, attack off the bounce and potentially guard multiple spots.
A couple of gunners could fit that mold.
R.J. Hunter from Georgia State is a savvy shooter with tons of range and a terrific basketball IQ. His ability to connect immediately from NBA distance, attack closeouts and collaborate craftily with teammates makes him an attractive candidate.
Despite getting double- and triple-teamed throughout his junior year, Hunter registered 21.3 points and 3.9 assists per 40 minutes to lead the Panthers to the Sun Belt Conference crown. He has the smarts and skills to instantly produce in the Association, and his 6'6" frame should be able to check both swingman spots once he adds some muscle.
Another offensive-minded route is UNLV's Rashad Vaughn, a 6'5" freshman who is gifted when it comes to creating off the bounce and drilling jumpers. His playing style isn't far off from Ellis', although the Mavs would have to go through some of the same efficiency growing pains that plagued Ellis' early years in the league.
If the front office is leaning toward a better defender, Wisconsin's Sam Dekker is an ultra-versatile wing who could slip to No. 21 because he's not star-like in any area. Dallas could select Virginia's Justin Anderson, who projects to be a three-and-D role player with a sturdy physique and basketball IQ.
1. Point Guard
Even though Devin Harris is returning and Raymond Felton picked up his 2015-16 option, the Mavericks sorely need to bolster their point guard situation.
A committee of floor generals filled the 1-spot prior to Rondo's arrival. Even though the offense was clicking, the front office was tempted to bring in someone with a higher pedigree. The acquisition of Rondo was born from the hope that he would provide a more dynamic presence on both ends of the floor.
He ultimately underachieved as a scorer and defender, couldn't space the floor as a shooter and was particularly embarrassing in the playoffs. Consequently, Rondo and the Mavericks are likely parting ways this summer, and the team doesn't have a fresh face with which to build for the future.
The most talented point man that could potentially fall to them is Notre Dame's Jerian Grant, who ranks fourth in B/R draft expert Jonathan Wasserman's point guard rankings. Wasserman broke down the 22-year-old's NBA readiness:
"Grant's facilitation stood out more than anything this past year. ... Grant was a playmaking machine off ball screens, where he flashed terrific vision and passing instincts on the move. Without any major holes in his game, it's certainly possible his strengths continue to strengthen. ... having the versatility to play either backcourt position improves his odds of finding a full-time role.
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The Irish star's knack for slicing into the lane and making sharp decisions would translate superbly to Carlisle's offense, and he'd deliver enough outside shooting to give the unit balance.
In the short term, Grant would be prepared to make a strong impact while platooning with Harris and Felton, and within a year or two, he'd be more than equipped to take the reins.
If Grant is unavailable at No. 21, other point guard options include Duke freshman Tyus Jones and Utah senior Delon Wright. Each would give the team a rock-solid backup, as Jones is the better shooting option and Wright is the more creative slasher.
Daniel O'Brien covers the NBA draft for Bleacher Report.
Follow him on Twitter: @DanielO_BR
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