Dallas Mavericks: 5 options for pick No. 37 in 2019 NBA Draft

4. Carsen Edwards

In his junior season at Purdue, guard Carsen Edwards averaged 24.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game on 39.6 percent shooting from the field. He also shot 35.5 percent from the 3-point line on an insane 10.6 attempts per game.

Despite the impressive scoring averages, there are some glaring negatives to his game. For one, Edwards is undersized at 6’1” and lacks elite athleticism as well. Like most small guards, he could become a defensive liability, and that won’t help a Mavs team that ranked an unimpressive 18th in defensive rating.

Edwards also averaged 2.9 assists to 3.1 turnovers. His low assist numbers were in spite of the fact that his usage rate was 37.3 percent. If Edwards continues to act as a ball-stopper, defenses will be able to expose him.

Apart from the negatives, the best component of Edwards’ game is the spacing he provides. He was second in the nation in 3-point field goals, hitting a whopping 135. He can both pull up from anywhere and hit on catch-and-shoot opportunities. Dallas ranked fourth and seventh in 3-point attempts and makes, but 24th in terms of 3-point percentage.

He also performed well in big games, scoring 26, 42 and 29 points in the first three games of the NCAA Tournament. He scored 42 again in the Elite Eight, where he almost singlehandedly took down the eventual champion Virginia Cavaliers. The Boilermakers ultimately lost in overtime, 80-75.

There’s always the possibility that Dallas strikes out with free agent scoring guards like Kemba Walker and Malcolm Brogdon. Edwards is a guard that can provide an offensive spark off the bench. The biggest problem is that he projects to be a late first round, early second round selection. If he’s still available, however, the Mavs should take a shot and draft him.