Stunning Kyrie Irving comparison proves exactly who the Mavericks must draft

One of the main issues the Dallas Mavericks have faced this season has been finding someone to replicate Kyrie Irving's production as he recovers from an ACL tear. The team thought they found a solution when they signed D'Angelo Russell in the summer. However, he proved to be a failed experiment, as Dallas must now hit the reset button. The Mavs, though, could look to the draft to solve their biggest need, as there are plenty of great guards at the top of the lottery.

With March Madness underway, there are plenty of names Dallas could look at, including Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. The freshman phenom has all the intangibles to excel at the next level, and NBA podcasters like Bill Simmons are taking note. Let's just say Simmons made an astonishing comparison that will have Mavs fans excited for the future if they can get their hands on Acuff Jr.

In a recent podcast episode, Simmons sat down with journalist Tate Frazier and J. Kyle Mann to discuss Acuff Jr. and his ceiling in the NBA. Simmons spoke highly of the young guard, comparing his skill set to Kyrie Irving. He explained, "There's stuff (Darius) Acuff Jr. does, Tate, that just makes me think of Kyrie as I'm watching him."

The Dallas Mavericks have the perfect guard to draft on their board, assuming they continue to climb the draft ladder, as Darius Acuff Jr. could change everything for them.

Darius Acuff Jr. would solve one of the Mavericks' biggest weaknesses

Dallas' ball-handling issues have been a prominent issue in the past few years. The team tried to solve the problem in the past by adding players like Spencer Dinwiddie, Dante Exum, and Russell. All three guards, though, failed to meet expectations.

Darius Acuff Jr., though, can make up for the Mavs' recent headache list above. His historic freshman season is the reason Simmons and his colleagues believe he will make an immediate impact in the NBA and could be a solution for Dallas.

The Ringer's columnist Tate Frazier even reiterated the statement mentioned above. He piggybacked on Simon's comments and outlined how Acuff Jr.'s game can't be matched.

"As far as being a chameleon, I feel like that's what Acuff is. In a game, he can be an engine for you, he can be a creator for you, he can be a spot-up shooter for you," Frazier said.

Dallas will need lottery luck to land Darius Acuff Jr.

Acuff Jr. is having one of the best college seasons of anyone in the country. The 6-foot-3 guard led the Razorbacks to the NCAA Tournament, as he earned SEC Player and Rookie of the Year honors. Not to mention, he averaged 23 points per game in the season and shot 44.4 percent from the 3-point line. He showcased his potential in the first tournament game, where he scored 24 points and seven assists.

There is so much to like about the potential future all-star. He has proven he can easily elevate the Mavs' offense if selected, and he would be a perfect complement to pair alongside Cooper Flagg. However, Mavs fans can only dream of this situation if Dallas' draft stock continues to rise.

The Mavericks must try to climb the ladder if they hope to solve their guard issues listed above. It'll allow them to draft high on Acuff Jr. He has proven he can be a key difference-maker, and it's clear Dallas needs someone of his caliber on their roster.

Let's hope the basketball gods work their magic and Dallas gets lucky once again in the draft, as Acuff Jr. could develop into a star just like Kyrie Irving.