The Smoking Cuban
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Why Dallas should pick Moritz Wagner in the second round

By Jasmyn Wimbish

SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Moritz Wagner #13 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts after a play in the first half against the Villanova Wildcats during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Moritz Wagner #13 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts after a play in the first half against the Villanova Wildcats during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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While majority of the discussion around the Mavericks’ draft on June 21st centers around who they’re going to select 5th overall, the 33rd pick is just as important for Dallas, especially if that pick is Moritz Wagner.

You might remember Wagner, the 6’11” forward out of Michigan who averaged 14.6 points and 7.1 rebounds a game during his junior season with the Wolverines. Maybe a highlight video of Wagner’s March Madness performance against Loyola-Chicago in the Final Four will jog your memory.

The big man from Berlin, Germany shot 62.5 percent from the field, and racked up 24 points and 15 rebounds to lead Michigan to the national title game. Not to mention he’s got range, averaging nearly 40 percent from beyond the arc last season.

Oh, and the best part? If you couldn’t tell from the video above, Wagner is always active on defense and is an above average ball handler for someone of his size. That would be a huge benefit for a Dallas team that struggled on the defensive end throughout the season.

Adding someone like Wagner who has range will force opponents to bring their big men out of the paint to defend him, giving him the option of shooting the jumper or driving to the rim against slower centers in the league.

The Ringer  currently has Wagner going to Dallas with the 33rd pick in their mock draft, and if you need anymore convincing on why this will be such a steal for the Mavs, here’s another incentive.

Wagner grew up idolizing none other than Dirk Nowitzki.

That’s right, Dallas has the opportunity to draft a guy who grew up with aspirations of being Dirk.

In fact, in an interview with HoopsHype’s Alex Kennedy, Wagner said of Nowitzki, “I’m always flattered and shocked by any kind of direct comparisons to Dirk because that’s my MJ, you know? I had his poster on my wall and it motivated me every day. He made me believe that this was all possible.”

So how would this work out for the Mavericks? Well, depending on what Dallas does with the 5th pick on Thursday will potentially impact how they pick at 33rd. For instance, if the Mavs select someone like Mohamed Bamba or Jaren Jackson Jr. to fill their big-man needs, then perhaps Dallas opts for a wing player at 33rd.

However, if the basketball gods are shining on the Mavericks on June 21st, and Luka Doncic falls to Dallas, then pulling the trigger on Wagner at 33rd makes perfect sense. Or, if the Mavericks want to take the risk on Michael Porter Jr., then again picking Wagner in the second round would fit nicely.

Next: Are trade rumors a sign of the talent level in the draft?

Regardless of how Dallas drafts at the No. 5 slot, picking Wagner 33rd would be a plus for the Mavericks either way. Not to mention he could even get mentored by Nowitzki in what could potentially be Dirk’s final year.