The Smoking Cuban
FanSided

NBA Mock Draft 2.0: Lottery Picks Only

By Kohl Rast

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: A general view of the NBA Deputy Commissioner, Mark Tatum during the 2018 NBA Draft during the NBA Draft Lottery on May 15, 2018 at The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: A general view of the NBA Deputy Commissioner, Mark Tatum during the 2018 NBA Draft during the NBA Draft Lottery on May 15, 2018 at The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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AUSTIN, TX – FEBRUARY 7: Mohamed Bamba #4 of the Texas Longhorns plays defense against the Kansas State Wildcats at the Frank Erwin Center on February 7, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX – FEBRUARY 7: Mohamed Bamba #4 of the Texas Longhorns plays defense against the Kansas State Wildcats at the Frank Erwin Center on February 7, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /

#5: Dallas Mavericks

Marvin Bagley III, Duke

“I am completely aboard the Mohamed Bamba hype train and think he is one of the best players in this draft class and will be for years to come. That said, I think Marvin Bagley III could legitimately be THE best player in this draft class and Dallas should not pass on him no matter how much they like Bamba. With his size and quickness, he could be a game changer for years to come.” –Kohl Rast

Mohamed Bamba, Texas

“The Mavs are once again expected to lead the charge after veteran free agents. The team is expected to pursue Demarcus Cousins, Julius Randle, and Deandre Jordan in free agency. This shouldn’t dissuade the Mavs from drafting Bamba. The Texas star was a defensive wizard for the Longhorns and was second in the country in blocked shots as a freshman.

In a league that is beginning to prioritize length over other traits, Bamba showed off a 7”10 wingspan at the draft combine, which shattered records. The Mavericks would love to get their center of the future and could end their previously failed Nerlens Noel experiment.” –Evan Siegel

Mohamed Bamba, Texas

“Bamba is perfect to pair with Dennis Smith Jr. and Rick Carlisle. Remember J.J. Barea running the pick-and-roll with Brandan Wright, basketballs being thrown almost to the ceiling of the American Airlines Center, being caught in midair and slammed into the basket like Zeus dunking a thunderbolt?

It’d be like that, but with two players who are way more physically talented than Barea and Wright. If Bamba can shoot 3’s it’s just a bonus. I don’t think he’ll be the best player on a championship team, but Bamba is what a center in today’s NBA should look like. Pairing him with Smith makes so much sense.” –Ben Zajdel

Next: #6: Orlando Magic