Jalen Brunson's NBA Finals win should make this Mavericks draft target irresistible

The New York Knicks were crowned NBA Champions last weekend, and Dallas Mavericks fans are still pondering what life would have been like with Jalen Brunson still on the team. Former Mavericks trainer Casey Smith even took a share in the frustration with Mavs fans, as he took a direct stab at Nico Harrison and the old regime. Brunson's departure in free agency is a move fans will be questioning for years.

However, even with all the frustration that comes with JB winning the NBA Finals in his fourth season in New York, his title run could provide a silver lining for Dallas. The 6-foot-2 Knick proved that undersized guards who aren't great defenders can win if the right team is around them. This paves the way for Dallas to draft someone like Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr, making the draft prospect irresistible due to his incredible offensive game.

Dallas has shown interest in drafting Acuff Jr. during the pre-draft process. Brunson's recent title run should make the draft prospect someone the team highly considers. Plus, it's easy to see the Arkansas guard succeeding in the NBA, as he would be able to manipulate defenders and score at all three levels easily.

Jalen Brunson's success could help Acuff Jr. top Mavs' draft board

It wasn't too long ago that the Mavs had one of the most dominant backcourts with Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson. Both players were key contributors during the 2022 NBA Playoffs, helping Dallas reach the Western Conference Finals. Brunson showed signs of his 2026 NBA Finals MVP form when he helped Dallas beat the Utah Jazz in the opening round, a series where Doncic missed some time.

The former Mav would find success in New York, as he helped the Knicks win the title after a 53-year drought. His flashy finishes and high basketball IQ were just some of the things noted during the Finals, as Brunson achieved something not many players his size achieve. It's very rare and unusual for a small guard to be the MVP of a team, let alone leading them to a championship.

Brunson, though, defeated the odds and proved that all it takes is having a great team around you. This opens the door for future small guards like Darius Acuff Jr. to find success in the league. It's not impossible to have an undersized guard as one of the best players on a Finals-winning team.

It's not hard to imagine Acuff Jr. finding success with Cooper Flagg and the Mavericks. His offensive skills are off the charts. The draft prospect would solve some of the Mavs' biggest weaknesses, including 3-point shooting, and could easily help elevate the team to the next level.

There is just one problem in drafting Acuff Jr.: his defense can be problematic. This shouldn't be a problem, though, as the Mavericks have the team to cover his biggest flaw. Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II, and P.J. Washington are excellent defenders who can make up for Acuff Jr.'s flaw if he gets beat inside.

So, maybe drafting the young guard isn't a bad idea. His strengths can't be overlooked. Plus, Dallas has the team to overshadow his weaknesses. It's not hard to imagine the guard finding success with the Mavericks. It worked for Brunson, and the same fortune could work for Acuff Jr.

Acuff Jr. could easily fix the Mavs' weaknesses

It's without question that the Mavericks have shown interest in Darius Acuff Jr. Earlier this month, it was reported that Dallas is considering trading up in the draft to select the small guard. Selecting Acuff Jr. would be an absolute steal, as he would easily improve the Mavs' offense, and he would be a perfect running mate next to Flagg.

The Arkansas guard would solve one of the team's biggest weaknesses: 3-point shooting. Last season, Dallas was one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the league. They ranked in the bottom five in multiple categories, including 3-point percentage, 3-point attempts, and makes. It's an issue not even Flagg could solve on his own.

Acuff Jr. would be able to solve the Mavs' long-range shooting. He was one of the NCAA's top shooters last season, shooting 44 percent from beyond the 3-point line. The former Razorback was elite as a catch-and-shoot player, knocking down 49.1 percent of these attempts. He is a confident shooter who is unafraid to let it rip and is someone Flagg desperately needs on his team.

Plus, his presence alone is something Dallas needs. The Mavericks struggled to find someone to replace Kyrie Irving's production last season, and their lack of guard depth held them back. It's an issue the Arkansas guard could easily solve. He could learn from the Mavs' All-Star before eventually replacing him in the future.

So, if Brunson's success taught Dallas anything, it's that Darius Acuff Jr. is a tantalizing draft prospect. Any team would be lucky to have him on its roster, and he could likely replicate a Brunson-like impact in the future. He's a draft prospect the Mavs should have high on their board.

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