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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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HARTFORD, CT – MARCH 23: Murray State Racers guard Ja Morant (12) during the NCAA Division I Men’s Championship second round college basketball game between the Florida State Seminoles and the Murray State Racers on March 23, 2019 at XL Center in Hartford, CT. (Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HARTFORD, CT – MARCH 23: Murray State Racers guard Ja Morant (12) during the NCAA Division I Men’s Championship second round college basketball game between the Florida State Seminoles and the Murray State Racers on March 23, 2019 at XL Center in Hartford, CT. (Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Murray State. 3. 66. . . G. Ja Morant

The point guard from Murray State who made his name known in the season and put it in the history books during March Madness. Ja Morant rose up the draft boards night after night, but by the time their shortened tournament run was over, Morant had locked himself in as a top 5 draft prospect.

The Phoenix Suns currently have De’Anthony Melton and Elie Okobo manning point guard duties for the team, so Ja Morant would be a big step up in that department. Morant is an excellent playmaker who would do really well next to Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, slashing and feeding them for open shots.

The big strengths to Morant’s game is that he likes to be the guy with the ball in his hands. He put together a triple-double performance in game one of the March Madness tournament, showing that he can pass, shoot, dribble, rebound , score, etc. His ability to attack the basket was key to the team’s success all year.

Morant is not really a premier shooter by any means. He is a serviceable shooter and a great finisher at the rim, but his shot will need some help going forward. He has forced himself into some bad decision making that has affected his play as well, but that has not been a frequent problem.

Player Comparison: De’Aaron Fox

I think Fox has a better overall shot than Morant, but the playmaking ability from both of these players is really impressive. Each guy has explosive speed and an incredible eye for the best play available in any given scenario. Morant is looking like one of the top players in this draft class.

(If the Dallas Mavericks did not select Morant with the 2nd pick or he was still available in this scenario, they would definitely pick him here.)

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