Dallas Mavericks Tourney Watch: Jonathan Isaac

With the Dallas Mavericks looking like a team destined for a mid-first round pick, they could try to catch a top five worthy talent if he drops in Jonathan Isaac.

Among the many stars in this year’s NCAA tournament, few players have the kind of polished abilities that Florida State’s Jonathan Isaac possesses.

The 6″10 forward has rare athleticism that many teams across the NBA will find extremely appealing as the league looks for the next Greek Freak.

Jonathan Isaac powered the Seminoles to a strong regular season that saw them ranked in the top ten for a large part of the season. The Seminoles chances in this tournament will in large part rest on the shoulders of their do-it-all player who commands so much extra attention from opposing defenders.

Assuming Florida State is able to defeat unranked Florida Gulf Coast University in the first round, then an intriguing matchup with either St. Mary’s or Virginia Commonwealth would be next up. Either scoring phenom Jequan Lewis from VCU or Calvin Hermanson would next on the list for Jonathan Isaac to challenge.

Jonathan Isaac has some Kevin Durant in him. Not that he is that skilled offensively, but the lanky forward has a similar build to the former Texas Longhorn who is now one of the NBA’s premier scorers.

A skilled ball-handler, Isaac has no limitations when it comes to attacking the basket and finishing at the basket. His shot cannot be underestimated either, putting defenses in a bind when it comes to trying the figure out exactly how to defend him.

More from The Smoking Cuban

• Dallas Mavericks: Why Luka Doncic is underpaid in $207 million extension
• Dallas Mavericks: Tyrell Terry injures groin in summer league loss to Jazz
• Mavericks: How to maximize Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis pairing
• Dallas Mavericks: Did they do enough this offseason to jump into title contention?
• Mavericks: What to watch for as Dallas faces Utah Jazz in summer league

Defensively, Isaac resembles Tayshaun Prince. Prince’s long arms and wide frame enabled him to be one of the NBA’s best perimeter defenders for his entire thirteen year career. This kind of two-way ability that Isaac possesses is rarely found in players at his age.

If Florida State makes it far in this year’s NCAA tournament, Jonathan Isaac will then likely leapfrog past a few others on several teams’ draft boards.

Jonathan Isaac may follow a Brandon Ingram-like trajectory in his first few years in the NBA, and could interest a team like the Mavs who will be on the hunt for a two-way player as talented and physically gifted as Isaac.

Next: Dallas Mavericks Tourney Watch: Lauri Markkanen

Jonathan Isaac and the Seminoles play tomorrow, March 16th, at 8:00 PM on TNT against the Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles.