Dallas Mavericks: Three strategies for the 2020 draft
3. Find another shot-creating guard in the NBA draft
Trey Burke, signed by the Dallas Mavericks just ahead of the NBA’s restart, provided a spark in the bubble. He averaged a very efficient 12.0 points per game while also dishing 3.8 assists per game. He shot over 43 percent from deep in both the eight seeding games and six playoff games.
Dallas should consider bringing back the 27-year-old Burke on a cheap contract. But they should also recognize how a quick guard with a nice jumper helped their offense and consider searching for a player like that to develop for the future.
One option is Tyrell Terry. The Stanford product is one of the best shooters in the draft. He made 2.0 triples per game last season on 40.9 percent shooting from beyond the arc. Whether it’s a shot off the dribble or off the catch, right behind the arc or a few feet back from it, Terry lets it fly. He also has good handles and finishing abilities.
Stanford PG Tyrell Terry (@tyterry05) has elected to keep his name in the draft. Will be the first one and done in Stanford history. Potential first round pick, Terry can shoot at a high level off the dribble and off the catch. Also has a high IQ and feel for the game. pic.twitter.com/2i9xUrsuwV
— Swish Cultures (@swishcultures_) August 4, 2020
There’s also Kira Lewis Jr. from Alabama. The lightning-quick guard averaged 18.5 points on 45.9 percent from the field and 36.6 percent from deep. Cole Anthony, who averaged the same amount of points at North Carolina, is another intriguing prospect. His draft stock diminished amidst a turbulent season but he showed promise as a scorer and competitor.
Dynamic wing scorers Tyrese Maxey and R.J. Hampton would be good choices at pick number 18, too. The second round should offer some older, more developed bucket generating point guards like San Diego State’s Malachi Flynn, Kansas’ Devon Dotson and Charleston’s Grant Riller.