Dallas Mavericks 2017 NBA Draft Big Board 3.0

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Mar 9, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) controls the ball against Louisville Cardinals guard Donovan Mitchell (45) during the second half of an ACC Conference Tournament game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sportsat Barclays Center. /

6. . F. Duke. JAYSON TATUM (PREV. 10)

There arguably isn’t a lottery bound talent that has improved his draft stock more over the past month than Tatum. He looks to be a completely different player than the player at the start of the season. With his last two impressive games against Louisville and North Carolina in the ACC Tournament, Tatum jumps up four spots on my big board.

Based off potential, Tatum could be in the top 5 conversation like he was going into his first season at Duke. He has the prototypical body and game for an NBA small forward at 6’8″, 200 pounds.

7. . G. France. FRANK NTILIKINA (PREV. 5)

“If you listen/read to any Mavs related draft news, you will hear about their liking of Frank Ntilikina out of France. He is a 6’5″ point guard who has all the physical tools to be a top-notch point in the league. With an improving outside shot, don’t be surprised if Dallas makes it a goal of theirs to land Ntilikina in the draft.” (From Draft Big Board 2.0)

*The sad thing for Ntilikina is he doesn’t have the luxury of playing in any postseason college basketball. The kid might not do anything to hurt his stock until the summer, but other players will have the opportunity to improve their stock with impressive tournament play.

8. . G. Kentucky. MALIK MONK

“Monk is a hard one to project based purely off his skill set and size. He is almost too small to play shooting guard, but never gets the chance to play point guard at Kentucky. Scoring wise, he is right there with Fultz as the best scorer in the draft.

He is much higher on overall draft boards, but for the Mavericks there would be other priorities. Dallas already has a similar player in Seth Curry who is starting to prove his worth along with Wesley Matthews who spends time at two guard also. Then factor in Harris and Barea under contract.

Monk has exceptional talent, but I think someone will select Monk before Dallas will even have to debate it.” (From Draft Big Board 2.0)

9. . F. Florida State. JONATHAN ISAAC (PREV. 7)

Can you draft someone off pure physical tools? Isaac is a 6’11” wing player at Florida State that can hit the three and drive the paint. He does have a thin frame, but is an intriguing prospect that some scouts are drooling over.

He would come in and fit into the wing rotation with Barnes, Finney-Smith and Anderson going forward.

DE'AARON FOX (PREV. 9). 10. . G. Kentucky

Fox, just like Monk, is a little higher up some draft boards, but I have my hesitations. He is exceptionally quick with the basketball and has elite athleticism, but his outside shot and body frame scares me going forward.

He was shooting 17% from behind the arc at Kentucky the majority of the year and weighs just 170 pounds. A comparison that has been thrown around is Elfrid Payton. All that being said, at pick 10, grabbing Fox would be a great value.

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