Dallas Mavericks: 5 options for pick No. 33 in 2018 NBA Draft

4. Grayson Allen, SG — Duke

Has there been a more annoying little dude in the NBA over the last decade than J.J. Barea? Sadly, Jose Juan will be 34 at the beginning of next season and the Mavs will have to start thinking of ways to replace his gnat-like exuberance.

Enter Grayson Allen. After four years at Duke, the 6’4″ shooting guard is no one’s idea of a savior at the next level. That said, his shooting should translate. He shot 38 percent on 5.4 attempts per game over his college career, and his defense will be an asset. He’s not going to generate offense like he did in Durham, but a 40.5 inch max vertical at the combine reminded everyone that he’s far more than just a scrappy, end-of-the-bench type.

That doesn’t mean he can’t be an asset. Every team needs a Grayson Allen, and couldn’t you just see Rick Carlisle coaxing a 15-year career out of the most hated Dukie since Christian Laettner? There’s also been an empty spot in Mark Cuban’s pool house ever since Chandler Parsons left.

3. Melvin Frazier, SG/SF — Tulane

Perhaps no player helped themselves more at the NBA Draft Combine than Tulane’s Melvin Frazier. Going into the process, Frazier was seen as a likely late second round draft pick. After putting on a bit of a show in the five-on-five scrimmage and measuring out as the ideal NBA small forward, that projection has been turned on it’s head.

Frazier had 14 points, four assists and four steals in his lone game action. As Bleacher Report‘s Jonathan Wasserman said, he “showed a little of everything”:

"“He knocked down a three, had a strong lefty drive, exploded for a windmill dunk on a fast break and defended with intensity.”"

The 21-year-old from Avondale, Louisiana also stood out with a 7’1.75″ wingspan to go with a 6’6″ height in shoes and a 40.5″ vertical leap, tied for sixth among those who were measured.

Dallas doesn’t figure to be ready to win next year, and Frazier is definitely a project, but the Mavs are the type of stable organization well set up for him to grow in. It might be a bit of a reach, but at No. 33, the payoff could be huge.