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NBA Draft: 2019 Mock 2.0: If the Dallas Mavericks land in top 4

By Kohl Rast

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils looks on against the Michigan State Spartans in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils looks on against the Michigan State Spartans in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – FEBRUARY 16: Chuma Okeke #5 of the Auburn Tigers plays during a 64-53 Auburn victory over the Vanderbilt Commodores at Memorial Gym on February 16, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – FEBRUARY 16: Chuma Okeke #5 of the Auburn Tigers plays during a 64-53 Auburn victory over the Vanderbilt Commodores at Memorial Gym on February 16, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

Auburn. 26. 156. F. Chuma Okeke. .

If you are talking about guys that raised their draft stock the most during the NCAA March Madness tournament, one name that has to be mentioned is Chuma Okeke. Okeke was a vital part of the Auburn offense and defense and could have very likely been the difference maker in the Virginia game had he not torn his ACL two games before.

The Cavaliers snagged R.J. Barrett with the 2nd pick in this mock draft so it would make sense to take a potential elite defender with the next pick after getting a potential elite offensive player first. The Cavs need so much help at this point that Okeke would be a great addition to the team and the culture they would like to set up.

As mentioned, Okeke is a really strong defender who changed the game on the defensive end during the tournament. He also proved to be a serviceable shooter from all over the floor during that time, something that any team would be glad to take along with his size and athleticism and energy.

Okeke was not a consistent scoring threat and has been projected to fall into the middle of the 2nd round in a lot of mock drafts because of his inconsistencies and his current injury situation. I personally think whichever team ends up with him will be really glad they got him.

Player Comparison: Noah Vonleh

The Vonleh comparison is accurate in a lot of ways because Vonleh developed into a pretty decent shooter as his career has gone on, but his strength is on the defensive end of the floor. Okeke would bring a lot more excitement to the floor than Vonleh, but overall the players are pretty similar.

Next: Denver Nuggets