3 types of players the Mavericks could draft in the second round

Do you own a blindfold, and a hat filled with scraps of paper with all the draft prospects names on them? Congratulations, you are now qualified to conduct a 2nd round mock draft.

In other words, projecting who will actually go 40-50 picks in is difficult -- perhaps even foolhardy -- but also fun, so play along.

Here are three ways the second round of the draft could go for Dallas:

The Trade Up Option

Dallas likes a guy enough to trade up into the beginning of the second round.

Michael Frazier, G, Florida

Frazier has reportedly worked out for the Mavs, and with good reason. He’s perhaps the best shooter in the draft, and though he offers little else offensively aside from his jump shot, he’s not a total stiff athletically. As a four year player under Billy Donovan’s strong defensive system, there is hope that he can be at least an adequate man defender, which combined with his spot up ability could make him a strong bench piece. Think something along the lines of a Jodie Meeks.

Rakeem Christmas, F/C, Syracuse

Another four year player, Christmas has apparently been one of the big winners from the pre-draft process, shining in workouts and especially so at the combine’s 5-on-5 game. Despite being a little short for his position and a decent but not exactly spectacular athlete, Christmas was one of college’s best shot-blockers and offensive rebounders last year. These are traits that tend to translate well to the NBA. This draft has a lot of long armed 6’9 power forwards who block shots (I think LSU has like four of them), and this could push someone like Christmas down into draftable territory for Dallas in the 2nd round.

Terry Rozier, G, Louisville

Similarly, someone is going to be the victim of all this point guard depth in the draft. There are currently seven point guards projected to go in the first round. That would be the most since 2009. I have not seen any reports about Rozier working out with Dallas, but from a value standpoint he could be too good to pass up if Dallas -- either by trading back from 21 or up from 52 -- ends up in the first half of the 2nd round. He’s a scoring point guard with a strong game across the board. He has size for position, he tested well athletically, and he is a solid if streaky shooter. Synergy rated him significantly better as a spot up shooter than as an off the dribble shooter, which actually probably plays better into the Mavs' system. Academic problems slowed his progress a little bit on his way to the NBA, and it remains to be seen how Rozier will approach being a professional.  Still, at this point in the draft those questions aren’t so prohibitive.

The Draft and Stash Option

Where Dallas selects a foreign prospect who can be "stashed" overseas for a few years to develop, then brought over

Cedi Osman, F/G, Turkey

A combo guard who has grown into swingman size, Osman is an intriguing wing with a broad set of skills, though he does not yet seem to have one outstanding area of strength yet. He plays with energy and flair, and as the NBA continues to embrace the wide open, European style of play, Osman’s creativity and versatility fits right in.

Nikola Milutinov, C, Serbia

My second round selection in SB Nation’s MVP Mock Draft, Milutinov is a seven-footer who looks to have NBA caliber athletic ability, running the floor well and finishing above the rim. That kind of skillset never goes out of style. He’ll need to continue to add strength and get some seasoning, but a couple of years overseas might make him a bargain as a cheap backup big.

Satnam Singh, C, India

A huge human being that I frankly know little else about...but he has worked out for Dallas, apparently. He would be the first Indian born player to play in the NBA. Dallas has pioneered this kind of thing before, so it’s not completely out of the question. Singh is just 19 and apparently had little choice but to enter the NBA draft because he was unlikely to be ruled eligible for the NCAA.  This appears to be something of a "lotto ticket" pick.

The Stand Pat Option

Where Dallas just stays where they are at 52 and takes someone that impressed during workouts

Alan Williams, F/C, UC Santa Barbara

Simply college basketball’s best rebounder, in terms of production. He’s a load inside who will need to keep his conditioning in check, but he was prolific enough to get some looks in the pre-draft process. He won’t be Kenneth Faried or Paul Millsap -- two other small-school rebounding prodigies -- but don’t be totally shocked if he carves out a Reggie Evans/D.J. White type career for himself.

Tyler Harvey, G, Eastern Washington

In the latter half of the second round, I think you’re really just looking for one bankable NBA trait. For Harvey, that would be his shooting. He has a quick lefty release and make tons of threes for Eastern Washington. His athletic testing was a mixed bag: he did pretty well in the lane agility drill but horribly in the vertical testing. His future will almost certainly rest on whether or not he can hit the open jump shot.

Michael Qualls, G/F, Arkansas

If Harvey’s skill is his shooting, Qualls will be his defensive potential. With a freakish 7’0 wingspan and great athletic tools, Michael Qualls has a chance to be a difference maker purely through his defense. His offensive game has improved, but could definitely use more polish. He has a funky jump shot that limits his potential as a "3 and D" guy, but he’s not Dominique Jones bad here. A team that believes in its development program could take a chance on Qualls and see if he can be at least a reliable corner marksmen.