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Dallas Mavericks: Why Montrezl Harrell Makes Sense At No. 21

By Cole Mentzel

Jan 28, 2015; Chestnut Hill, MA, USA; Louisville Cardinals forward Montrezl Harrell (24) during the first half against the Boston College Eagles at Silvio O. Conte Forum. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2015; Chestnut Hill, MA, USA; Louisville Cardinals forward Montrezl Harrell (24) during the first half against the Boston College Eagles at Silvio O. Conte Forum. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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During most of the Mark Cuban era, the Dallas Mavericks have not had luck in the draft. They are almost always known as the team that is trading up higher or packaging picks in deals to acquire current NBA players.

Their most successful draft pick since 2000 was Josh Howard. The 6’7″ Wake Forest forward was selected 29th in the 2003 draft and he played with the Mavericks all the way up to the 2010 season. He contributed point averages in the high teens during most of his years in Dallas and was a part of the 2006 team that went to the Finals and the 2007 team that finished 67-15.

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Besides Howard, the Mavericks just never seem to keep any of their picks around very long. For example, they traded away Shane Larkin, who was going into his second season, in a deal for Tyson Chandler last summer. Jae Crowder looked like he had lots of upside until he was traded in his third season for Rajon Rondo.

It just seems like the Mavs front office has more confidence in proven NBA players rather than rookies.

However, this season is different. The draft class for 2015 is very deep and has lots of players with potential for the future. The Mavericks currently hold the 21st pick in the draft (barring any trades) and they could end up selecting a player who has the ability to flourish in their system for years to come.

One name that comes to mind as a perfect fit for the Mavericks is Montrezl Harrell. He is a 6’8, 240-pound junior from Louisville that knows how to dominate his defenders. He plays power forward so he is a little undersized but his strength and intensity makes up for all of that.

He can do it all in the post whether he has to throw down a huge dunk, go up and catch a lob, get to the basket for a layup or block a shot.

Now why does he fit in Dallas? Harrell, as I stated above, isn’t the biggest guy but he puts in so much work and time to improve his game. His workouts and practices are intense and his progress shows whenever he is on the court. The Mavs are always thin when it comes to the big man positions and he could provide a great boost from their bench.

Also, besides Tyson Chandler, the Mavs don’t really have any players who grind or go at it with other guys. They need someone who isn’t afraid to stir things up and get under the opposing teams skin, which Harrell is great at.

One other thing that would help the Mavs is his ability to score in the paint and produce in the lane. Besides Tyson Chandler (again) and Amar’e Stoudemire, the Mavs never really had in-paint specialists who could go to work down low or agitate the big guys that score so easily.

Harrell had 13 double-doubles last season and posted some incredible stat lines like 22 points and 15 rebounds against North Carolina and 20 points and 12 rebounds against Virginia. The bottom line is that he can get it done down low, which is something the Mavs aren’t exactly good at.

There are definitely other positions that the Mavs could pick, but there is also a lot that needs to be done at the power forward position and from the bench. Dirk Nowitzki is retiring soon and he will need a replacement. They had a good backup in Brandan Wright, but he was lost in the Rajon Rondo trade last season.

LaMarcus Aldridge is said to be a big target for the Mavs, but there’s no guarantee they will be able to sign him this summer. The Mavs need a good physical big guy off the bench who can come in and make an impact plus a little advice from the greatest foreign player ever wouldn’t hurt.

The Mavs have always been low on big men for their bench, and Montrezl Harrell would be a perfect guy to come in and provide that spark that they need. No one ever knows what the Mavericks are going to do on draft night and this year will be no different. They just might surprise you with their pick.

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