2023 DRAFT: Mavs take Lively, OMP, sign Mike Miles to 2-way, sign Jordan Walker

[Chicagojk]

Certainly there isn't a requirement that a player has to visit in order to be drafted.  I do think Black and Hendricks are the most likely to fall to 10 depending on what Utah and Washington do.  Certainly you have to be prepared (or at least put on a show that you are prepared) if the trade-down you intend to do doesn't work out.

It is pretty obvious a 'visit' from these guys who won't be drafted is more recruitment than workout.  Everyone is going to be competing to fill out their 2-way spots and G-League rosters.

I thought the Maxwell, Bates and Bediako workouts were the most interesting.  I have a friend whose daughter was a classmate of Bediako at IMG.  In fact, I've seen them together in pictures posted on FB.  I may ask her about him if I get a chance.  

I dug into Maxwell a bit.  I can really see him being a Dallas pick.  He's a bit like Hardy was for me.  The things he does well, he does really well.  He's asked to do too much in his role at Pepperdine which impacts his effectiveness.  I thought Hardy needed to make better decisions and take the shots he's best at (and for the most part he did).  The same applies to Lewis's offensive game.  Eventually he may grow other things where he shows some promise.  But early on he can stick strictly as a catch and shoot guy who attacks closeouts and passes on the move (basically a taller and longer Josh Green).  Defensively, he has the tools, but rarely showed them.  Is that because he's saving himself for the offensive end?  If there is another gear there if he's not the primary offensive weapon (and it showed in flashes) His length would cause problems for people.  A Reggie replacement in a year?

Bates would fit the big swing that would fit Nico's background.    I think it is safe to say Bates needs to improve quite a bit and change how he plays to be a longterm NBA player.    I would find it interesting if the Mavs signed Bates and drafted Lively how their youth would be rated.   For a team that we have said never had young prospects, they would have a top 3 former recruit in Hardy, a top 3 former recruit in Lively, and a guy people thought was the next KD a few years ago in Bates.