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NBA Draft Analysis: The Dallas Mavericks Should Consider Wendell Carter

By Sergio Rodriguez

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: NBA Draft Prospect, Wendell Carter poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Combine circuit on May 15, 2018 at the Intercontinental Hotel Magnificent Mile 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: NBA Draft Prospect, Wendell Carter poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Combine circuit on May 15, 2018 at the Intercontinental Hotel Magnificent Mile 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OMAHA, NE – MARCH 23: Marques Bolden #20 and Wendell Carter Jr #34 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrate their teams win over the Syracuse Orange during the second half in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at CenturyLink Center on March 23, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. The Duke Blue Devils defeated the Syracuse Orange 69-65. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
OMAHA, NE – MARCH 23: Marques Bolden #20 and Wendell Carter Jr #34 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrate their teams win over the Syracuse Orange during the second half in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at CenturyLink Center on March 23, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. The Duke Blue Devils defeated the Syracuse Orange 69-65. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

The 2018 NBA Draft is getting closer and there has been a growing anticipation among fans and draft analysts. Even though the Finals are in the spotlight, the draft is not far behind.

This year, the Dallas Mavericks are the owners of the fifth pick, the 33rd pick, and the 54th pick, however, I will only talk about the fifth pick. Most big boards and mock drafts have projected Dallas to land the towering shot blocker Mohamed Bamba out of Texas and it looks like it might happen.

Unfortunately for the Mavs, Bamba has shown big improvements during the draft process, and measured out outstandingly at the combine with his 7′ height, 226 pound frame and extraordinary 7″10 wingspan. Plus he has improved his jump shot very quickly with only minor changes to his mechanics needed.

Add that to the fact that he is one of the best defenders in this draft and it is very likely that teams in the top 4 get interested in the Texas center. So, if Bamba does not fall to the Mavericks at number five, who should Dallas pick?

If Bamba does not fall, the Mavs still have a plethora of options at number five. Michael Porter Jr., Jaren Jackson Jr., or Trae Young could be available for Dallas and any of them may be worthy of the fifth pick. Despite each of them having a noticeable upside, the Mavericks should also consider Wendell Carter with the pick.

Carter might not pack as much upside as the others I have just mentioned, but he is one of the safest pick in this years draft. In fact, he may be the most skilled big man in this year’s draft not named DeAndre Ayton.

Carter has been overshadowed by Marvin Bagley III and that is a big reason most teams have not seen him as a player that would go top 5. Carter brings a great tools/defense/rebounding combo to pair up with an excellent skill set, and that should get Dallas interested in him as an exceptional consolation prize.

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