It’s time for a rebuild in the Big D and Mark Cuban’s team just went a long way in staring one up. Here are the Dallas Mavericks’ 2017 NBA Draft grades.
With Dirk Nowitzki‘s days as an elite player coming to an end, the 2017 NBA Draft was a momentous occasion for the Dallas Mavericks to truly begin their rebuild. Owners of the No. 9 pick, Mark Cuban’s team had an opportunity to start the next era of Mavs basketball on the right foot, and boy, did they deliver.
The franchise needed an infusion of young, explosive talent, and they got it with the selection of Dennis Smith Jr.. In 2016-17, Dallas finished 23rd in offensive rating (103.7) and scored 1.03 points per possession in transition (No. 4 in the NBA). With Smith, the most athletic point guard in the draft, they will improve in both facets — and quickly.
In his lone year at NC State, the 6’3″ point guard averaged 18.1 points, 6.2 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game on .455/.359/.715 shooting splits.
His best performance of the year came on Jan. 15, on the road, against Duke University. That night, he dropped 32 points, four rebounds and six assists, hitting 10-of-18 shots and going 4-for-6 from three.
The Smith pickup was received well by most everyone, as it was the most logical fit for a team lacking scoring and and explosive punch.
all i really know about dennis smith is he's from fayettenam and that means anything is possible. anything, i tell you.
— bomani (@bomani_jones) June 23, 2017
Dallas gets great value for 9th pick not only taking a needed point guard, but one with competitive fire, athleticism & game in Dennis Smith
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) June 23, 2017
And if you think the pundits seemed effusive regarding the pick, just check out what head coach Rick Carlisle had to say afterwards:
Rick Carlisle leaves no doubt Mavs wanted Dennis Smith over Frank Ntilikina, saying there was "uproarious" applause when Knicks made pick.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) June 23, 2017
The praise for Smith makes sense. He’s a top-five talent who fell just a bit because of maturity concerns, and due to his lack of success at the college level. The Wolfpack went 15-17 last season, and many believed that once things got tough, their lead guard (Smith) checked out. His defense, even before he may or may not have “checked out,” was never good.
There was the ACL tear he suffered in high school to worry about too, as Smith’s best trait, along with his ability to fill up the score sheet, was his freakish athleticism for a lead guard. Nonetheless, concerns about that were quelled after he started doing things like this at NC State:
After the Smith selection, the logical thought was that they’d pair him next to Seth Curry, who is coming off an excellent season. However, post-pick scuttle said otherwise:
Dallas is hoping to pair Dennis Smith in a backcourt with free agent Jrue Holiday I'm told.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 23, 2017
A depth chart at the guard position containing Smith, Jrue Holiday, Curry and Yogi Ferrell would be a bit undersized, yes, but a high-scoring and versatile one. And with a coach like Carlisle calling the shots? The possibilities — offensively, at least — are endless.
Next: 2017 NBA Draft grades for all 30 teams
Picking up a talent like Smith all the way at No. 9 may very well prove to be everyone else’s loss, and Dallas’ gain. As far as a grade, it’s difficult to give the Mavericks anything but a perfect score. Their offense will improve almost immediately, and the NC State’s floor general upside could end up making him the top player in the entire 2017 class. He’s that good.
Grade: A+