ESPN just erased a major Mavericks draft red flag before the Combine

A fan-favorite draft prospect among the Dallas Mavericks faithful just became much more practical for the team to select if they land the No. 8 overall pick in the lottery next week. According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, former Louisville star guard Mikel Brown Jr.'s back is fully healed after a concerning freshman season with the Cardinals.

The injury that scared teams away is no longer a problem

The 6-foot-5 guard still managed to average 18.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 41 percent from the field, but he did this in limited action. He was expected to be one of the most exciting players in the country, but he didn't play as much as fans would've hoped.

Brown Jr. only played in 21 games during his freshman season at Louisville due to a lingering back injury, but that issue seems to have disappeared right before the NBA Draft Combine next week. MRIs earlier this year revealed that Brown Jr.'s back problems were not structural, but rather a strained lower back and some back spasms.

This discomfort flared up when he would play full speed, and these concerns have ultimately cast doubt upon his draft stock. The Mavericks can't afford to draft an injury-prone player after everything they've been through over the last few years, but Brown Jr. seems ready to put this injury behind him and move on to his professional career.

Marks traveled to Orlando to watch Brown Jr. work out, and his report about him being "fully recovered" is a major revelation ahead of the combine. Brown Jr.'s back injury was shaping up to be one of the biggest stories of the pre-draft process, and if teams' medical staffs can confirm he is ready to go, Dallas should definitely have an eye on him. Especially if they pick eighth.

Why Mikel Brown Jr. fits what Dallas needs

They need guard depth badly around Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving, and Brown Jr. brings everything that they need. He is a strong shooter with good size and excellent passing, and he'd have the chance to learn behind Irving before taking over the starting point guard spot himself one day.

The former Louisville standout is consistently mocked in the Mavericks' range, and his back being healed may be the exact news the Mavericks needed to hone in on him. With Darius Acuff Jr., Keaton Wagler, and Kingston Flemings likely off the board when Dallas gets on the clock, Brown Jr. would be a home-run pick if he fell into their lap.

His ability to create for others, make tough shots from anywhere beyond the arc, and play on and off the ball should make him a top target for the Mavericks, and the NBA Draft Combine should give fans a much better idea of how he compares to other guards who are compared to go in the lottery. If Brown Jr.'s back injury truly isn't a problem anymore, he is among the best fits for Dallas as they need to bolster their backcourt.

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