Mavs Moneyball - NBA Draft 2018: Mavericks trade up to select Luka DoncicRick Carlisle approved.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50869/mmb-fav.png2018-07-03T10:00:02-05:00http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/rss/stream/172552672018-07-03T10:00:02-05:002018-07-03T10:00:02-05:00Watch 17-year-old Doncic play against the Thunder back in 2016
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<figcaption>Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Before he became the sensation over in Europe, Doncic came off the bench in a preseason game against the Thunder.</p> <p id="yMbyup">By far the biggest opposition to <span>Luka Doncic</span> as a prospect and future NBA player has been how he holds up against NBA athleticism.</p>
<p id="QACYXQ">Doncic, the <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a> recent draft savior, relies more on skill than speed — although that’s not to say he’s a “bad” athlete. Just of all the things Doncic is great at, his athleticism isn’t necessarily something that shows up in the strength column of a scouting report.</p>
<p id="5E7a2a">While the top European leagues can mimic the NBA in some regards to athleticism, it still can’t really compare. So as we wonder how Doncic will look against NBA athletes let’s pass the time by watching...Doncic against NBA athletes.</p>
<p id="NpNQik">Behold, this clip that strings together most of Doncic’s play as a 17-year-old coming off the bench for Real Madrid against the <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> during a preseason game in 2016.</p>
<div id="QvdAIG"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PRJBeaez-94?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="2WkYUs">(Do not be alarmed that your phone or computer speakers are busted: the video doesn’t have any audio).</p>
<p id="8i9HsZ">Doncic’s final stat line is far from impressive: 3 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists on 1-of-5 shooting. What pops off from the video is just, well, how <em>smooth </em>Doncic looks as a damn 17-year-old against a real NBA team. Sure it’s the preseason, but who cares! It’s nuts that Doncic is throwing behind the back passes, near half-court lobs and warding defenders off with his backside in the pick and roll like he’s been in the league for a decade.</p>
<p id="3NIkPe">That’s what surprised me the most. Doncic seemingly has no nerves and very much looks like he belongs on the floor. To think Doncic was this comfortable before he turned 18 is just remarkable. I can’t wrap my head around it.</p>
<p id="GI7a85">I have no idea if Doncic will live up to the hype, but honestly watching this short video sold me on Doncic’s potential just about as much as any other highlight reel has.</p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2018/7/3/17529218/watch-17-year-old-luka-doncic-play-against-the-thunder-back-in-2016Josh Bowe2018-06-23T08:00:02-05:002018-06-23T08:00:02-05:00The Mavericks discuss their second round picks
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<p>Overshadowed by Doncic, the Mavs made some quality picks in the second round of the draft. </p> <p id="oIDmXO">While trading for <span>Luka Doncic</span> during the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-draft">NBA Draft</a> was the highlight of the evening, the <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a> still had work to do. Unlike last summer, Dallas held a couple of picks in the second round. For a rebuilding team looking to get younger, the second round is a prime opportunity to find overlooked players of value. If you believe the Mavs leadership, that’s exactly what they did. </p>
<p id="AgAU1J">They selected <span>Jalen Brunson</span> from Villanova with the 33<sup>rd</sup> overall pick. The starting point guard for the Wildcats during his three-year stint in college, Brunson averaged 14.4 points on 51 percent shooting, 3.1 rebounds, and 4.6 steals. In his final season, he was named the Big East Player of the Year and the winner of the Wooden Award, given to the most outstanding player in college basketball. Even more impressive is the fact that he led the Nova to two NCAA National Championships in three years, something that was not lost on the Mavericks. </p>
<p id="KsgVFf">“The guy is a proven winner,” Mavericks assistant vice president <span>Michael Finley</span> said. “He’s won on every level, high school to college. That winning trait that he has, that type of attitude is what made us more attracted to him to come to this franchise and be a part of our winning tradition—to start back our winning tradition. I think he has the traits to be a part of that.”</p>
<p id="npbvi3">It’s not just being a key member of a couple of championship teams that attracted Dallas to Brunson, though. They also spoke highly of his character on draft night and of his desire to come in and compete right away. </p>
<p id="zmUXIS">“One thing that impressed me when we interviewed him in Chicago was that we asked him if he was drafted on our team when we have a guy like Dennis Smith, how would he go about getting minutes.” Head coach <span>Rick Carlisle</span> recalled. “He said, ‘Look, I would push Dennis hard every day. I would also want an opportunity to play with him. I know that I can play off the ball as well.’ This guy, for us, has a real good handle on the total game. A very resourceful view of the game. And I think an underrated ability level and a great deal of toughness. The character is obviously there with what they’ve been able to do over the last three years.”</p>
<p id="4bznOx">For the Mavericks, drafting Brunson at 33 was a “blessing” as Finley put it. They had him on their big board going in the first round. As for his role with the team, that is yet to be determined. Carlisle speculated that he could see some time in the G League but feels that he’s a player that can fit any system. </p>
<p id="O6JBHw">Dallas also held the 54<sup>th</sup> pick in the draft but they traded it to the <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/">Philadelphia 76ers</a>. In return, the Mavs received the 56<sup>th</sup> and 60<sup>th</sup> picks. They drafted Louisville center <span>Ray Spalding</span> at 56. Spalding, who stands at 6-foot-10 and sports a 7-foot-4 wingspan, played three seasons at Louisville. IN his final season, he averaged 12.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.7 blocks in 27.7 minutes per game. </p>
<p id="hTZewq">With the final pick in the draft, Dallas took <span>Kostas Antetokounmpo</span>, whose brother, Giannis Antetokounmpo AKA “The Greek Freak,” plays for the <a href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Milwaukee Bucks</a>.</p>
<p id="mt9HaG">“That’s “Greek Freak” the sequel, right?” Mavs GM Donnie Nelson joked. “We actually had an opportunity when his brother came out, I think, two years ago to pick him in the second round. He’s a player that’s long, athletic, has upside. And so those guys are obviously genetically—there’s some sharing with his brother. He’s taller. Maybe not quite as athletic but at the power forward position, here’s a guy who can block shots, run, and rebound. So, he’ll be a nice development player for us probably in the G-League. </p>
<p id="HUg3ay">Spalding is similar. Long, athletic bigs that have hands, can run. Down in those areas, those are good opportunities to take those types of prospects.”</p>
<p id="7euYTx">As Nelson notes, both Spalding and Antetokounmpo are projects. They’ll likely be in Las Vegas for Summer League and come fall will play in the G-League for the Legends. Brunson, however, could see time with the Mavs beyond October judging by how Carlisle and Finley gushed about him. </p>
<p id="0bEuUT">Even with their first homerun, landing Doncic, the Mavericks were able to make some potentially savvy moves in the second. For now, it looks like the rebuild is well on its way and might even be ahead of schedule. </p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2018/6/23/17495570/nba-draft-2018-the-mavericks-discuss-their-second-round-picks-brunson-antetokounmpoDoyle Rader2018-06-23T06:00:03-05:002018-06-23T06:00:03-05:00With Luka Doncic, the Mavericks finally have more answers than questions
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<figcaption>Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>By trading up for the European phenom, the Mavericks don’t have to worry about fit, talent or potential — they just found their guy.</p> <p id="bmL9hj">There are a lot of ways to describe why the <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a> acquisition of <span>Luka Doncic</span> is such a grand and important moment for the franchise. There’s the talent he brings, the potential he has and the glimmering hope he offers for a winning team after <span>Dirk Nowitzki</span> is long gone.</p>
<p id="64zgXT">Really though, you can boil down why Doncic matters so much to the Mavericks with one thought — he provides answers. For this Mavericks team, that’s a sweet relief.</p>
<p id="yzA5uw">Imagine the general feeling about the team just six hours before Thursday nights draft. There was the expectation that Doncic, who many consider the best player of this draft, was going to be off the board by the time the Mavericks picked at five. At five, the options for Dallas were good, but each one had question marks.</p>
<p id="DY6fMi">Mohamed Bamba is a long-armed shot blocker with dreams of a jumpshot and something more. <span>Michael Porter Jr.</span> seemed, theoretically, like the prototypical foundation for a current NBA wing. Wendell Carter Jr. isn’t flashy but he had a seemingly full toolbox with a broad game to match whatever the Mavericks put on the court. Those options were OK, fine even — they just had questions.</p>
<p id="e2UQ3D">Bamba’s upside relies on him turning into a three-point shooter that he never was in college. Carter’s high floor was negated by the fact that his floorbound game might catch up to whichever team drafts him on the defensive end. Porter had recently recovered from back surgery and even when he did play, never displayed any sort of playmaking chops you’d expect from a player of his prestige and hype.</p>
<p id="AWtT7b">The ultimate paradox of this draft was that a majority of the top-10 picks were centers, the exact position the league is increasingly playing off the floor in high-pressure situations. It’s not that centers aren’t valuable anymore, it’s just that their rate of combustion has never been higher. You have to <em>really </em>hit on a center now or face the consequences of your lottery pick sitting on the bench in a future playoff game. </p>
<p id="Cil9bW">Bamba looks excellent but the questions of a rebuild still fully linger — it’s hard to be excited about a future when you’re not even sure if the player you’re picking will still have a true place with his position when his prime arrives. Bigs might come back in a big way in a few years, but there’s no doubt that the risk has never been higher.</p>
<p id="7EEI9p">With Doncic, none of these questions exist.</p>
<h4 id="wrXjWp">A playmaker for years to come</h4>
<p id="is6xrg">Instead of wondering how the Mavericks find the playmaking they need outside of <span>Dennis Smith Jr.</span>, they have one of the best playmakers coming out of the draft in years. Instead of trying to fit the square peg of <span>Harrison Barnes</span> shotmaking game into a playmaking round hole, Doncic is there to let <span>Barnes</span> excel at who he is and not struggle to be something he’s not. When there used to be groaning and worries when the Mavericks had to juice their struggling offense with a small, point guard heavy lineup, Doncic allows the Mavericks to operate at their final form without sacrificing length and size on the perimeter.</p>
<p id="W1i8DN">“He’s going to be a great guy to play with Dennis Smith and <span>Harrison Barnes</span>,” Mavericks coach <span>Rick Carlisle</span> said on Thursday. “They’re going to enhance his game, he’s going to enhance theirs.</p>
<p id="545TyH">“He’s the kind of player that is going to be able to play with virtually anybody. He has a skill-set and an understanding, feel for the game. He’s a great shooter so he creates space for other players, which is really going to help Dennis.”</p>
<h4 id="2vaPHs">The piece that brings it all together</h4>
<p id="phMx5x">When you watch Doncic’s tape and envision his fit on the Mavericks, he feels like a cheat code.</p>
<p id="IMTRt9">Standing at about 6’8 with a sturdy frame, Doncic runs offenses not like just a playmaking wing, but a true point guard. He runs pick and rolls like he’s been doing them for decades and displays a shocking level of advanced skill for having a variety of passes at different angles, coming off screens and in transition.</p>
<p id="zVorTb">Perhaps the best of his many passes is one that is crucial for any high-level playmaker — the quick cross-court pass to the weakside right out of a pick and roll. This is something that usually takes players years to master, and Doncic has it in his bag at 19 years old.</p>
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<p id="T0AJAW">It’s the passing that really sets Doncic apart and allows him to play in any lineup on any team. The swag-filled clutch jumpers are fun, along with his assortment of floaters in the lane, but it’s the ability to seemingly make any pass in any situation that sets Doncic apart and allows the Mavericks to morph into a team that is unpredictable in its attack and varied throughout the lineup. With Bamba or any other player, the pressure would have been on Smith to live up to extraordinary expectations or for the Mavs to continue tinkering with the Barnes-as-playmaker experiment that — let’s be honest — didn’t seem like a fool-proof plan.</p>
<p id="Fz8Lge">Smith and Barnes can now be complimentary pieces while they continue to improve their individual games and go to the next level. This isn’t an insult — Smith still has star potential. Only now he has a running mate that allows him to not have to be That Guy for 82 nights at 20 years old. </p>
<p id="7uqQ5q">The worries about Doncic and Smith playing together and taking the ball from each other is overblown. Carlisle on Thursday gushed about how both Doncic and Smith would feed off each other with their own unique talents.</p>
<p id="LJNrLV">“Dennis’ speed and rim-attacking ability is going to compliment Doncic’s spacing ability and playmaking ability,” he said.</p>
<p id="bYGaVV">Picture it now — Smith darting toward the bucket off a high-screen from <span>Dirk Nowitzki</span> or whatever rim-runner the Mavericks have on the floor. Doncic is on the weakside wing, waiting for the defense to collapse to prevent Smith from soaring with a highlight jam. Doncic then gets the ball in probably the situation he’s most deadly, a scattered and out-of-sorts defense. Doncic’s high-level feel for the game allows him to thrive in these situations and it almost seems like the game slows down for him when he’s attacking a defense that isn’t set. </p>
<p id="uolO8J">The above scenario isn’t the only tantalizing one. Imagine Doncic and Dirk unleashing a two-man game, with Doncic playing the part of a 6’8 Jason Terry. What about Smith getting a head start on his thunderous drives thanks to Doncic’s presence as a lead ball handler? Or Smith and Doncic themselves running their own pick and roll, with Doncic operating in 4-on-3 situations as the roll man? The possibilities feel endless.</p>
<p id="RJrWmY">With Bamba or Porter or another big man, it instead feels like we’re having to answer more questions. Can a big stay on the floor? Can Barnes learn to pass? Will Smith be the All-Star the Mavs desperately need him to be? While the Mavericks were perfectly fine picking fifth and confident in the choices available, the level of talent and flexibility Doncic brings is simply unmatched. He’s the aspirin to a nagging headache. </p>
<h4 id="I3yFeq">Some questions do still remain</h4>
<p id="3E70E2">Doncic provides answers but that isn’t to say he doesn’t have any questions. Doubts about how his athleticism will translate to the NBA were reasons Doncic was probably available at three in the first place, and there are concerns about how his body will keep up with the rigorous schedule the NBA demands.</p>
<p id="s9ym43">Those are real questions too, when you separate that from the typical ignorant noise about European players. Doncic’s most mortal moments in Europe usually coincided with whenever he came across a rangy, NBA-level athlete. The Mavericks have plans to get him up to speed and shed some of his unnecessary weight while maintaining the strength that makes him so unique compared to so many string-bean wings that come out of college at his height.</p>
<p id="inwUqN">Hopefully Doncic has answers for those times when he’s not able to scoot by a flat-footed defender. He might not have prototypical explosion or athleticism, but he has something almost just as hard to attain — elite skill.</p>
<p id="g0g4dj">Carlisle said after the draft that while Doncic won’t be able to blow by defenders with pure speed, his skill will create the separation he needs to get off his shot or find an open teammate. He can work angles unlike most players his age and Carlisle said Doncic’s ability as a passer and shotmaker will cause defenses to shift and move in a way he can take advantage of.</p>
<p id="sHMzmh">“Guys that have his level of skill become more athletic because of how you have to run at him at the three-point line and beyond because of his shooting ability,” Carlisle said.</p>
<h4 id="F2UWEq">Dallas now has a clear direction</h4>
<p id="3p8uMu">About a week ago, the most pressing question about the Mavericks had to be “where are they going?”</p>
<p id="NOmHO4">The roster was a mess, featuring an odd assortment of undrafted players and 30-year-old role players — not exactly the type of core you can truly stop and look at and think the 24 wins last season was just the beginning. Smith was and still is a great piece but the hard truth was that for a team as bad as the Mavericks were for the last two years and how meandering they were the previous four, entering this draft with Smith being the only first round pick the Mavericks drafted this decade seemed alarming. It made you question who was even going to be on this roster when Smith hits his prime during his second contract.</p>
<p id="zUQ4hS">Doncic is just one player, he doesn’t finish the roster. What’s important though is that his talent can certainly start one. In the span of a few weeks the Mavericks went from meandering to purposeful. Doncic fills so many holes, connects so many dots, it’s hard not to be excited about what’s next. With no disrespect to Bamba, Carter or any other player the Mavericks might have considered at five, those guys were never going to do that.</p>
<p id="vrwU7U">“He’s a joyful passer, that’s how I would describe him,” Carlisle said. “He plays with a pass-first view of the game. Guys like that are a blast to play with.”</p>
<p id="nhH28E">It seems weird to say it about the Mavericks, but it’s true: Dallas just drafted the most decorated teenager in <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-draft">NBA Draft</a> <em>history. </em>Yes, the Mavericks — the win now, ignore the draft for two decades Mavericks — that have this guy.</p>
<p id="CcmOC3">Now it seems like the only question with Doncic on board is: how soon do the Mavericks start winning games like they used to?</p>
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https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2018/6/23/17496106/luka-doncic-dallas-mavericks-finally-have-more-answers-than-questions-2018-nba-draftJosh Bowe2018-06-22T19:52:35-05:002018-06-22T19:52:35-05:00Celebrate the Mavericks drafting Luka Doncic with the world’s most amazing shirt
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<p>The fine folks at Breaking T already have us covered. </p> <p id="brVnmW">We have a pretty good relationship with the folks over at Breaking T, and when they reached out to us last night about <a href="http://bit.ly/2yAWeYC">designing a shirt</a> to celebrate the <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a> drafting an heir apparent to one <span>Dirk Nowitzki</span>, we couldn’t say no. </p>
<p id="aonj7w">Here’s what they came up with: </p>
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<p id="6poBAw">The shirt was inspired by the first ever (that we know of) tweets exchanged between Dirk and Luka: </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thank you Legend!! <a href="https://t.co/mv7fNZyJ9K">https://t.co/mv7fNZyJ9K</a></p>— Luka Doncic (@luka7doncic) <a href="https://twitter.com/luka7doncic/status/1009966666363662338?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2018</a>
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<p id="ZVs7zk"><a href="http://bit.ly/2yAWeYC">You can buy the shirt here</a>. We’ve all already ordered ours. GET HYPE!</p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2018/6/22/17495924/celebrate-dallas-mavericks-nba-draft-luka-doncic-shirt-dirk-nowitzki-legendRebecca Lawson2018-06-22T14:08:07-05:002018-06-22T14:08:07-05:00Luka Dončić unlikely to play in Las Vegas Summer League
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<figcaption>Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>This makes sense considering just how much basketball he’s played the last few years</p> <p id="MUOlkQ">Following today’s press conference to introduce new <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a> Luka Dončić and <span>Jalen Brunson</span>, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon had the following report:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">A Mavs source says Luka Doncic is unlikely to play in the Las Vegas summer league. The Mavs don’t want to overwork Doncic in the wake of a long EuroLeague season that ended earlier this week.</p>— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) <a href="https://twitter.com/espn_macmahon/status/1010228851342020608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2018</a>
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<p id="6wMiC6">For those familiar with Dončić this should not be a surprise. Between FIBA play, Eurobasket, and ACB league games, Dončić has played over 150 professional basketball games the last two seasons. Tracking the contests game by game, he’s been playing basketball continuously for the last 18 months. </p>
<p id="CbOy7D">Part of his late draft stock tumble can in part be linked to concerns about his conditioning and how he took care of himself, but when a player is this young and playing this many games, it’s really a shock he’s played as well as he did the last few months. The Mavericks are probably anxious to get Dončić into their strength and conditioning program while also letting him have legitimate time away from competitive games. </p>
<p id="TZT3as">It’s disappointing in some respect, because we’re all very excited to see Dončić play in a Maverick uniform. This could change in the next two weeks, particularly given Dončić’s competitive nature, but with the investment the Mavericks made in Luka, it’s extremely unlikely. </p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2018/6/22/17494402/nba-draft-2018-luka-doncic-summer-league-not-playingKirk Henderson2018-06-22T12:00:03-05:002018-06-22T12:00:03-05:00The Dallas Mavericks draft report cards
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<figcaption>Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Our Mavericks get a refrigerator worthy report card from media outlets. </p> <p id="e88qQX">There’s a significant buzz in Dallas for the second straight year after draft night, and it’s hard to ignore it. </p>
<p id="6Te0ju">In what’s widely praised as the best move of the night, the <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a> traded with the <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Atlanta Hawks</a> to move up and select European superstar, <span>Luka Doncic</span>, with the third overall pick. “Wonderboy”, as he’s known in Slovenia, was near the top of the Mavericks’ draft board, so getting their guy at three is a value pick that makes the surrendering of next year’s pick (with light protection) well worth the gamble. </p>
<p id="iPnlSd">The Mavericks also left New York City with multiple draft picks for the first time in what seems like forever. Dallas selected <span>Jalen Brunson</span> out of Villanova with the 33rd pick, and traded the 54th pick to Philadelphia for picks 56 and 60 where they selected <span>Ray Spalding</span> from Louisville and <span>Kostas Antetokounmpo</span> (yes, that Antetokounmpo) from Dayton.</p>
<p id="Sw7LE7">Here’s what the media outlets had to say about the Mavs draft:</p>
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<h2 id="j4Gqbv"><strong>Luka Doncic - 3rd pick</strong></h2>
<h4 id="5NFXrj">
<a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2018/6/21/17489496/nba-draft-2018-grades-round-1">SB Nation</a>: A</h4>
<blockquote><p id="1ihXi9">The Mavericks traded up to get the best player in the draft. Dallas paid a heavy price, reportedly surrendering a future first round pick (protected in the top five) in addition to their own No. 5 overall selection, but Doncic’s combination of winning pedigree and advanced skill level is worth it. Doncic can be a primary offensive initiator at 6’8, 230 pounds, offering a rare blend of playmaking and shooting potential. He’s a player who stuffs the stat sheet on a nightly basis and has proven he’s a winner at every level. Dallas has found another international star to take over as <span>Dirk Nowitzki</span> exits. This was a bold move by the Mavericks, but it was worth it.</p></blockquote>
<h4 id="LWQBZM">
<a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2018-nba-draft-grades-pick-by-pick-results-analysis-for-first-and-second-rounds/">CBS Sports</a>: A-</h4>
<blockquote><p id="QJiFNI">With a reported trade, the Mavericks get their man here. The decision to pony up a future first-rounder was big just to move up two spots, but Doncic has the combination of NBA readiness and upside to be a star.</p></blockquote>
<h4 id="edfET4">
<a href="https://www.theringer.com/nba/2018/6/21/17490094/grading-the-2018-nba-draft">The Ringer</a>: A</h4>
<blockquote><p id="yXAnBw">The Mavs have found their man. Every team in the top five had a chance at the polarizing European prodigy, and Dallas wound up making the move, <a href="https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine/status/1009945795620229120">giving up a future first-round pick to move up from no. 5 to no. 3</a>. The Mavs have been wandering in the wilderness ever since they blew up their championship team in 2011. Now they have an exciting young core with Doncic and <span>Dennis Smith Jr.</span> that is a perfect fit for <span>Rick Carlisle</span>’s multiple-ball-handler offense.</p></blockquote>
<h4 id="C41fW0">
<a href="https://www.si.com/nba/2018/06/21/2018-nba-draft-grades-players-teams-pick-analysis">Sports Illustrated</a>: A</h4>
<blockquote><p id="0m4GqS">The Hawks made this pick on behalf of the Mavericks, and traded down to No. 5. Doncic is a major coup for Dallas, who have coveted him all season. He will essentially take the torch from <span>Dirk Nowitzki</span> as the Mavs push back toward competing for a playoff spot, and pair with Dennis Smith to give the Mavericks a dynamic pair of young playmakers. Many feel Doncic will be at his best with an athletic, slashing guard to help put pressure on opposing defenses, and he will have a chance to do that in Dallas. The Mavericks will give up a future first to get this done, but given the way they valued Doncic, it’s worth it.</p></blockquote>
<h4 id="RZo7KF">
<a href="https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2782350-nba-draft-grades-2018-full-results-analysis-and-reaction">Bleacher Report</a>: A+</h4>
<blockquote><p id="eXMgdL">Dallas fleeced Atlanta in the deal that sent Doncic to the Mavericks and Young to the Hawks. At points in the draft process, Doncic was considered the best player in the talent pool, and he could well be the biggest star of the group. The Mavericks have the perfect system in place for Doncic to succeed right away, as he will be working under head coach Rick Carlisle and learning from <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/dirk-nowitzki">Dirk Nowitzki</a>.</p></blockquote>
<h4 id="auubAV">
<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fnba%2F2018%2F06%2F21%2F2018-nba-draft-tracker-pick-pick-analysis-grades%2F723593002%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mavsmoneyball.com%2F2018%2F6%2F22%2F17492980%2F2018-nba-draft-dallas-mavericks-draft-report-card-luka-doncic-dirk-nowitzki" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">USA Today</a>: A-</h4>
<blockquote><p id="T0wpqx">The Real Madrid sensation is on his way to the Dallas Mavericks thanks to a draft-night deal, according to USA TODAY Sports’ Sam Amick. The deal swaps the No. 3 and No. 5 picks, so Luka Doncic for Oklahoma star <span>Trae Young</span>, with the Mavericks sending a future first-round pick to the Hawks.</p></blockquote>
<h4 id="Kjz8Mc">
<a href="http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/news/nba-draft-picks-2018-grades-results-trade-rumors-deandre-ayton-luka-doncic-mo-bamba/dmq906xxb83810glpht5ogls3">Sporting News</a>: A+</h4>
<blockquote><p id="UsUK7y">Doncic is the top-rated prospect on our board. The 6-8 wing is an outstanding pick-and-roll ball-handler, the best passer in the draft and a projectable shooter. The big question is how he fits alongside 2017 first-round pick <span>Dennis Smith Jr.</span> Doncic’s success for the Slovenian national team during the EuroBasket tournament when he played next to <span>Goran Dragic</span> can provide a blueprint. Doncic should have gone No. 1 in this draft. He’s terrific value here.</p></blockquote>
<h2 id="qAd2Pw"><strong>Jalen Brunson - 33rd pick</strong></h2>
<h4 id="ZAZBkh">CBS Sports: A</h4>
<blockquote><p id="00acmT">This run on point guards now sees perhaps the most polished and definitely the most accomplished college player in this draft come off the board. Brunson’s shooting and post game make him an interesting and unique player who projects to be an excellent backup for Dennis Smith Jr. Can they even play together?</p></blockquote>
<h4 id="OgqQsq">Sporting News: B+</h4>
<blockquote><p id="P4xfmH">A solid selection for Dallas here. Brunson isn’t a high-upside prospect, but he could be a backup in the league for a decade. The 6-2 point guard is effective knocking down shots off the dribble, can post up weaker defenders in the post and is a smart decision-maker. He was the No. 32 prospect on our board. </p></blockquote>
<h2 id="SuOIq7"><strong>Ray Spalding - 56th pick</strong></h2>
<h4 id="827g7H">CBS Sports: C</h4>
<blockquote><p id="ze1iTL">His ability to fill a box score is intriguing, but he also has a lot of holes to his offense and might not be big enough to make the same defensive impact.</p></blockquote>
<h4 id="Q3jLSg">Sporting News: B</h4>
<blockquote><p id="hzLDqO">Spalding is an athletic big man who delivered impressive defensive numbers during his junior season at Louisville, averaging 2.2 steals and 2.5 blocks per 40 minutes. Figuring out what his offensive role can be at the NBA level will be crucial. The 21-year-old is positive value for the Mavericks here. </p></blockquote>
<h2 id="W5cu5g"><strong>Kostas Antetokounmpo - 60th pick</strong></h2>
<h4 id="KlqvK5">CBS Sports: A</h4>
<blockquote><p id="nzzqPR">If you’ve got a chance to grab <span>Giannis Antetokounmpo</span>’s brother with the 60th pick, you do it. He’s got great measurables, and he’s worth the flier (on a former Flyer).</p></blockquote>
<h4 id="vBU5vo">Sporting News: D</h4>
<blockquote><p id="NdXC2k">Beyond the name and the 6-10 frame, it’s not clear what Antetokounmpo actually offers as an NBA prospect at this stage. He played just 15 minutes per game for Dayton as a freshman. This is a purely developmental pick that likely won’t return much value.</p></blockquote>
<p id="bovu8X">The splashy pick is Doncic, but the Mavericks also picked up a proven winner in Brunson who could potentially be Dennis Smith Jr.’s backup point guard for years to come. Spalding and Antetokounmpo represent project picks who will spend time in the G League, and the reviews are a mixed bag. For picks that late in the draft, it would be considered a huge success if they made any contributions at all. </p>
<p id="ZaYaSU">Based off media reactions alone the past two years, it appears the Mavericks are kind of good at this drafting thing, which begs the question why they haven’t been valuing it all these years. Ah, but let’s save that for another day. </p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2018/6/22/17492980/2018-nba-draft-dallas-mavericks-draft-report-card-luka-doncic-dirk-nowitzkiSam Guertler2018-06-22T11:00:02-05:002018-06-22T11:00:02-05:00The Mavericks lock in a foundational piece in Luka Dončić
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<img alt="2018 NBA Draft" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YAzhnI_uePEMZzPd_zUlypeGfvk=/0x1:3953x2636/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60148835/980833846.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>It actually happened, but what does it mean for the Mavericks?</p> <p id="nIZHUn">The <a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a> rode in to town Thursday night on a mission. Though rumors and reports of substance had surfaced consistently over the last several days, it was natural to have doubt that General Manager Donnie Nelson and owner Mark Cuban could really pull the trigger. </p>
<p id="KPpW8H">They clearly had their sights set and the Mavs walked away with the gem of the draft, the Wonder Boy himself, Luka Dončić. Plus, they grabbed a few more possible pieces moving forward, in <span>Jalen Brunson</span>, <span>Ray Spalding</span> and <span>Kostas Antetokounmpo</span>. </p>
<p id="y0bwpe"><strong>Fit for the Future</strong></p>
<p id="50vbje">Thanks to Nick Angstadt’s work on the Quote Board, hear it straight from the Wizard Rick Carlisle himself:</p>
<blockquote><p id="7iyvf8">“Dončić has terrific size. Playmaking ability. He can score. He’s a joyful passer. He plays with a pass first view of the game. Guys like that are a blast to play with.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="kBj4nC">There was plenty of praise to go around from the sometimes tough to impress head coach, gushing at Dončić’s versatility at such a young age; already projecting him as a probable starter (no brainer). It’s hard now to slot the 6’8 wing in to a specific position because he can do so much, but it does provide the Mavericks new flexibility.</p>
<p id="wOrrmq">As of today, the Mavericks could look to trot out a starting unit of <span>Dennis Smith Jr.</span>, <span>Wesley Matthews</span>, Luka Dončić, <span>Harrison Barnes</span>, and Dirk Nowitzki. The four returning starters didn’t have great advanced numbers together, but with the addition of a pass-happy playmaking wing in Dončić, new life will be afforded. And with flexibility from <span>Matthews</span> and <span>Barnes</span>, there will be positionless freedom from the wing. Ultimately, Carlisle and his crew can focus on exploiting matchups.</p>
<p id="XwNp5Z">Carlisle’s offense works best when two ball handling playmakers are on the floor (one reason the bench unit was so solid last season), and Dončić will work wonders for teammates. Having already had experience playing next to elite, veteran point guards, Dončić possesses great feel for playing on and off the ball with a fellow playmaker.</p>
<p id="M5hYNL">Imagine an action that starts with Dirk setting a high screen for Dončić, popping to the three to draw the defenders, while <span>Matthews</span> cuts to the weak side perimeter and DSJ is rim running. Dončić has the vision that few 19 year olds possess, and the ability to find all those cutters in traffic. He can also provide more outside shooting, as Dennis breaks down the defense off the dribble. The possibilities might be endless. </p>
<p id="fg9FZF">Yes, Dončić will have to take time to adjust to the pace and athleticism of the NBA. And that will especially be the case for him defensively. But similar to his ability to play 1-4 on offense, he projects to guard 2-4 on the other end. Expect him to mostly guard forwards. He has the height and frame to guard either spot.</p>
<p id="F2LbO1"><strong>What this means in free agency</strong></p>
<p id="6QRnby">The Mavericks have said multiple times the last month or so that the draft would dictate their free agency in July. It’s long been rumored that the Mavs have money spending intentions, trying to take advantage of cap space few teams have. </p>
<p id="BAptfV">Those rumors were backed up Thursday when the Mavericks traded up to get Dončić, while also giving up a future first rounder (only top five protected). It’s not just getting their guy, but giving up what could be a future lottery pick that tells you aiming for big things this summer. </p>
<p id="W9acDb">The Mavericks still have a gaping hole at center long term. Yes, Dirk will be around (forever and ever). And many thought they’d opt for a center in the draft. Carlisle’s response? “July 1st is right around the corner, bro”.</p>
<p id="ySG0cJ">So there you have it.</p>
<p id="wvSyeH">Expect plenty of <span>DeMarcus Cousins</span>, <span>Clint Capela</span>, <span>Julius Randle</span>, <span>DeAndre Jordan</span>, etc. talks over the next several weeks.</p>
<p id="a8LLJm"><strong>Second round pieces</strong></p>
<p id="WIiCFL">The Mavs had more opportunity at high level wing prospects in the second round, than Mavs Moneyball would have ever expected. </p>
<p id="9BeWjz">But ultimately, the Mavs opted for two-time champion, Player of the Year, floor general Jalen Brunson with the 33rd pick. Brunson averaged 19 points and 4.6 assists while shooting 40 percent from three this season at Villanova. It’s initially a bit of a head scratcher, but there’s no doubt Brunson is a Carlisle guy, and fans will love him. When asked about his assessment of the undersized point guard, Carlisle pointed to always needing more playmakers, Brunson’s ability to coach on the floor, and his resourcefulness as a player. </p>
<p id="R5pmRh">More than anything, this looks to signal a possible end of <span>Yogi Ferrell</span>’s time in Dallas. <span>Ferrell</span>, another undersized guard who came to Dallas on a 10-day contract and exploded in 2017, will be an unrestricted free agent in July. And with resident Carlisle security blanket, JJ Barea, still on the books, there’s only so many backup minutes when DSJ and Dončić lead the way.</p>
<p id="f1Koy4">In addition, the Mavericks traded the rights to the 54th pick (<span>Shake Milton</span>), to the <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/">Philadelphia 76ers</a> for the 56th and 60th picks (<span>Ray Spalding</span> and Kostas Antetokounmpo). Spalding, a 21 year old, 6’10 power forward from Louisville, averaged 12 points and nearly nine rebounds and two blocks in his final season in Louisville. He’s a defensive minded big man they may get a shot at the end of the roster. And yes, Kostas is one of <span>Giannis Antetokounmpo</span>’s brothers. A 6’9 small forward with a long wingspan, Kostas played sparingly in his one season at Dayton. Donnie Nelson referenced him as a young player with potential that will spend time in the G-League. </p>
<p id="OhBuY8">As always, the Mavericks will be on the lookout for undrafted players looking for a shot. And it’s entirely conceivable that any one of Spalding, Antetokounmpo, or an undrafted player pushes for a spot at the end of the roster in the fall.</p>
<p id="ZUfCfx">All in all, a wildly successful evening for the Mavericks, putting assets on the line to get their man. The future just got a little bit brighter.</p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2018/6/22/17492018/nba-draft-2018-dallas-mavericks-luka-doncic-foundational-piece-donnie-nelson-dirk-nowitzki-cubanJordan Brodess2018-06-22T10:00:04-05:002018-06-22T10:00:04-05:00What do the Mavericks have in Kostas Antetokounmpo?
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<img alt="2018 NBA Draft Combine - Day 2" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/TFIVVTNY9_NHewgCVnyK-u2RDy0=/8x0:4928x3280/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60146767/959922166.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The other Antetokoumpo brother is on his way to Dallas, and he has an intriguing skillset.</p> <p id="JgxNfF">Lost in all the excitement of Luka-mania, the Mavericks made another not-so-small blip on the NBA relevancy radar as they drafted Kostas Antetokounmpo with the last pick in the draft. </p>
<p id="juSc0S">I know. That last name intrigues you. Well let’s get this out of the way first: he isn’t going to be Giannis. In fact, with counting stats of 5.2 ppg and 2.9 rpg on a mid-major with a 14-17 record, there’s a pretty big possibility he isn’t even going to be Thanasis, the eldest Antetokounmpo brother who spent a few years in the G-League before heading overseas. However, as is the case with all three brothers, the raw physical tools (six-foot-ten with a seven-foot-two wingspan) are so visually appetizing from a potential perspective that an NBA team had to see if they were palatable. Here’s what you need to know.</p>
<p id="GTCDKv">First, he’s raw. And I mean <em>raw.</em> Offensively, almost all his offense at Dayton came from filling in the gaps. Whether it was a cut, a lob, or a put back, virtually all of his points were created by someone else. The lone area where he could competently score by his own creation was in the post-- almost exclusively on the right block—where he essentially would just use his superior size and length (9’2 standing reach-- first for all forwards at the combine) to finish over the outstretched arms of undersized bigs.</p>
<p id="okVK5E">There were flashes: </p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kostas Antetokounmpo with the swat then flush Greek Freak 2.0 doing work! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LOWD?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LOWD</a> <a href="https://t.co/oMdr9bvwuv">pic.twitter.com/oMdr9bvwuv</a></p>— Grant Kelly (@GrantKelly07) <a href="https://twitter.com/GrantKelly07/status/931694989918330880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2017</a>
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<p id="XE8BPy">On occasion, you’d see him grab a rebound or steal with his go-go-gadget arms and lead the break with large bounding steps — yet the grace of a gazelle. He’d maneuver around some helpless defender in such a way that it appeared basketball may be too easy for someone with those physical gifts (Giannis makes me think this daily). Plays like that remind you he’s an Antetokounmpo. Unfortunately, those plays were few and far between as too many Kostas-led possessions resulted in JaVale McGee-type blunders as he posted a turnover rate of 22 percent (per Synergy Sports.) That’s disturbingly high.</p>
<p id="2I1FC4">Fortunately, what he lacks in offensive polish he oft makes up for in effort. He has an impressive motor, which, when coupled with his absurd physical attributes make him, at the very least, passable on offense. This past season he managed to finish in the 99th percentile for transition offense as his long strides allowed him to accrue many easy buckets simply by rim-running or filling the wing in transition to a T. Additionally, despite being a poor screen setter due to his (currently) frail stature, he consistently rolls hard and his freakish wingspan makes him an easy target around the hoop. At Dayton, he was in the 94th percentile for “roll men” on offense, and at the NBA draft combine nearly all of his baskets came this way. In terms of his NBA level offensive skills, this is the most ready.</p>
<p id="cOoioh">As would be expected if you watched Giannis in his early years, the area of the game where Kostas has developed the farthest thus far is defense. Although his lack of strength prevents him from being <em>truly</em> elite on that end of the floor, he has shown a lot of promise. His wiry limbs and lateral quickness allowed him to confidently defend anyone one-on-one whilst at Dayton as he was in the 96th percentile for man to man defense. Although Dayton didn’t run a switch-heavy defense it is reasonable to expect that this skill should project at least moderately well to defending guards considering how elite he was against wing and frontcourt players.</p>
<p id="FSjIkY">In addition to his 8 percent block rate (which was higher than Deandre Ayton’s or Marvin Bagley’s), much like his brother, his mere presence around the rim causes defenders to second guess just about anything other than an off-balance floater. This resulted in him having by far the greatest defensive impact on his team as he posted a 2.6 DBPM (defensive points per 100 possessions a player contributed above a league average player). Considering the majority of his team were a negative in this measure due to Dayton’s lackluster defense this past year, that’s pretty impressive.</p>
<p id="XNGhwi">As promising as some of those stats seem, Antetekoumpo is a long way from being ready to contribute. This season he only played 15 minutes per game for an underachieving Dayton team, and failed to provide much of a winning impact when given the chance to play. Additionally, he shot an abysmal 13 percent from three so when he is on the floor opposing teams can essentially pay him no mind when he isn’t in the paint. </p>
<p id="kugIjy">However, fortunately for Mavs fans, he’s a late bloomer to say the least. Just four years ago he averaged a mere 3 points and 2 rebounds off the bench as a high school junior. If he continues to improve at the rate he has these last few years it’s not implausible to see him contributing in a Mavs uniform in the (somewhat) near future. Plus, something tells me he’ll have a pretty solid offseason training partner.</p>
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https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2018/6/22/17491988/nba-draft-2018-dallas-mavericks-kostas-antetokounmpo-second-round-60th-pickColinConnors