Building a Mavericks “dream team” if they picked right in every NBA Draft

2012 NBA Draft: Draymond Green over Bernard James with the 33rd pick

In the 2012 NBA Draft, the Dallas Mavericks had the 17th-overall pick. Obviously, Khris Middleton was a second-round selection, so how does this work?

Well, Dallas traded the 17th pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a package that saw them land the 33rd and 34th picks in the 2012 NBA Draft, putting them in a prime position to land a quality player.

Instead, they picked Bernard James with the 33rd pick. James went on to play just three seasons in the NBA, all with Dallas, and never averaged more than 10 minutes per game.

Just two picks later, at 35, the Golden State Warriors selected Draymond Green. He’s turned into a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate and a future Hall-of-Famer.

Green was one of the biggest steals of the 2012 NBA Draft, joining a Golden State Warriors core that would go on to win four championships with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson at the helm.

Dallas would have landed one of the best defenders in NBA history and someone who is a perfect fit alongside some of the other players they will have on this “dream team” being constructed.

The Mavericks had two chances to pick Green, as he went just one spot after their two second-round selections, but instead picked up James and Jae Crowder.

Now, let’s head over to the 34th pick for the next player on Dallas’ dream team.