(11-07-2022, 07:09 AM)HAguiar95 Wrote: I wanted him at #31. Never considered him at #18 (wanted to trade for Vassell or to draft Saddiq Bey).
Imagine the other teams that had multiple chances to pick him:
BOS - Nesmith at #14, Pritchard at #26 and traded #30 (Bane) for dumping Kanter's contract.
DEN - Nnaji at #22, traded for Hampton at #24.
MIN - Traded #17 for #23 and #28 and drafted Bolmato (TO not picked) and McDaniels (promissing, but not Bane).
DET - Hayes at #7, Stewart at #16 and Bey at #19.
NOP - Lewis at #13 and traded #24 to DEN.
UTA - Drafted Azubuike (TO not picked) at #27.
Not to mention OKC, PHO, WAS and CHI that drafted busts with a much higher pick.
That is a good way to look at it. Losing Bane and for me, Maxey hurts. On the other hand, we are at least a threat for a championship because we didn't miss the Luka pick. For example, Milwaukee hasn't had great results in the draft but they drafted Giannis. They were able to supplement that by making a trade for Middleton before he became good and then their big trade for Jrue.
One thing that always bothered me about the Mavs is there perceived lack of interest in late first round picks or second round picks. I always felt they took the lazy approach. Maybe that is not fair. My take is regardless where you pick, there is at least one prospect who will be a good NBA player. Your job as a front office is to find them. Most teams who are contenders have at least one second round draft pick or undrafted guy who is a key part of their rotation. The Mavericks have a few, but it has been a while since they found a new one.