Mavericks' potential draft target just went from risky to irresistible

Less than 48 hours ago, many Dallas Mavericks fans were out on Kingston Flemings after his measurements were reported from the NBA Draft Combine. Fans initially thought that the Kelvin Sampson product had the height and length to be a combo guard alongside Kyrie Irving in Dallas for years to come, but the numbers coming out of the combine looked much more like a true point guard.

The former Houston guard measured at 6-foot-2.5 barefoot and had just a 6-foot-3.5 wingspan, which are comparable results to when Stephen Curry was at the combine in 2009. His measurements were a letdown for what was initially expected from the AP All-American Third Team member, but Tuesday changed everything.

In the blink of an eye, he went from someone Mavs fans didn't want to touch with a 10-foot pole to one of the most intriguing guards in the draft who would be irresistible if Dallas could get their hands on him. Shooting was one of the biggest concerns about his game heading into the combine due to his mechanics and low 3-point volume in college, but he flipped that concern on its head with representatives from every team watching him at Wintrust Arena in Chicago.

Kingston Flemings just put on a show at the NBA Draft Combine

Flemings was one of the best shooters of everyone at the combine on Tuesday in a few drills, and he stood out in a group that was loaded with talent. His group included Isaiah Evans, Darryn Peterson, Brayden Burries, Keaton Wagler, Darius Acuff Jr., Labaron Philon Jr., and Mikel Brown Jr., and Flemings put on a show.

In the 3-point star drill, Flemings tied for first at the entire combine. He shot 19-25 (76.0 percent) in this drill, but his impressive shooting doesn't end there.

For shooting off the dribble, he knocked down 26 of his 30 attempts (86.7 percent). This ranked third at the combine behind only Ryan Conwell and Christian Anderson Jr. Flemings confirmed that he's one of the better mid-range shooters in the first round with such a smooth showing, and he performed so well that he may not even be on the board when Dallas is on the clock at No. 9.

Before he even did his shooting drills yesterday, Flemings showed off his freak athleticism.

He was among the best athletes in the gym and easily in his group during testing, and this could cause him to shoot up draft boards.

Why Flemings would be a steal for Dallas at No. 9

As Mavs fans know, the player that the team lands will likely depend on who gets passed on in that five through eight range. Dallas would really benefit from someone like Aday Mara jumping into the top eight, as this would guarantee that one of Wagler, Acuff Jr., Flemings, or Brown Jr. would fall into their lap. They don't control their own destiny in the back half of the lottery, and with Flemings' dominant combine, he may have just put himself in the upper half of the aforementioned tier of guards.

His performance at the combine had everyone in attendance buzzing, and his smooth shooting stroke showed how quickly things can change in the NBA. Those who were scared by his underwhelming measurements came running back to him on Tuesday, and he looked like someone who's going to be a great player in the pros.

Even at 6-foot-2.5, Flemings has the shooting touch to play on and off the ball, the speed to be a monster in transition and in the open floor, and the playmaking to lead an offense one day. Mavericks fans shouldn't be scared away by his height, as everything else he does on the floor looks extremely impressive.

He would be an incredible fit in the Mavs' young core alongside Cooper Flagg, and he's the type of guy that teams are going to regret passing up on.

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