Dallas Mavericks: 5 options for pick No. 9 in 2017 NBA Draft
1. Jonathan Isaac, SF/PF, Florida State
The Dallas Mavericks are making a selection in the draft that will ideally sustain their team for years and years. This isn’t a “win-now” selection designed to force open Dirk Nowitzki’s window of excellence, especially in the shadow of the Golden State Warriors. The Mavericks are not realistically competing for a title before Dirk retires.
That being said, Jonathan Isaac provides the perfect answer to both questions: How do the Mavericks compete during Nowitzki’s final days, and how do they compete once the smooth German hangs up his jersey for the final time?
Isaac may be the best defender in the draft, combining tremendous length with foot speed, instincts, and verticality to shut down perimeter threats and provide dangerous weakside shot-blocking. Accounting for the rookie learning curve, more than any other prospect he should be able to jump in and play NBA defense. Alongside the aging Nowitzki, that is an immediately translatable skill.
Isaac also has offensive upside, perhaps more than many know. He played off-ball almost exclusively at Florida State, and has already shown to be a capable spot-up shooter. With a little work his range should comfortably extend to the corner three. Over time there is a strong possibility he can add off-the-dribble skills, punishing closeouts and making plays happen off of cuts.
The future of the NBA may be defensively versatile centers with diverse offensive games — Isaac fits that bill perfectly. Whether he is playing at the 4 alongside Nerlens Noel or center alongside Harrison Barnes, a Dallas offense can stretch the floor with Isaac without compromising defense. That’s the Draymond Green model, and it’s something NBA teams are salivating over.
Of course there is no guarantee Isaac can put everything together. He was more like a role player at Florida State, albeit a tremendously talented and productive one. Can he be the first or second option on a team, or will he need to be third or fourth? That answer determines his ceiling and whether he is worthy of the ninth pick – or whether he will be available there at all.
Next: 2017 NBA Mock Draft: Post-Lottery edition
The Dallas Mavericks have many directions to pursue in the 2017 NBA Draft. They can search for a future starting point guard, shore up talent on the wing, or find versatile bigs to step in once Nowitzki retires. But the core goal entering the draft is that they need to find a star – and lucky for them there are a number of options that provide that potential. Now it’s up to them to make the pick.