With the NBA draft just 3 weeks away, it was finally time to do our first mock draft with the draft order fully set.
We sat down on Monday night and drafted all 30 spots, mixing some realistic (and unrealistic) trades to spice it up. Here’s the whole thing if you want to watch the shenanigans.
Without further ado, here is version 3.0 of the Mavericks Moneyball mock draft.
1. Washington Wizards – Darryn Peterson (G, Kansas)
While this pick would be shocking on draft night, I do not believe AJ Dybantsa is the locked-in first overall pick. Peterson would bring
a dynamic skillset next to Trae Young, and could help to propel winning faster than Dybansta.
2. Utah Jazz – AJ Dybantsa (F, BYU)
No player is more of a dream fit than Dybantsa to the Jazz. There have been rumors about a potential trade-up to make this pairing happen, but here they are able to draft the sensational scorer 2nd overall.
3. Memphis Grizzlies – Cameron Boozer (F/C, Duke)
No surprises here; Boozer is the most analytically dominant player in this draft, going to the moat analytically slanted team in the NBA.
While we floated a possible trade scenario involving OKC, I heavily doubt the Grizzlies would trade this pick under any circumstances.
4. Chicago Bulls – Caleb Wilson (F, North Carolina)
The Bulls are one of the most rudderless teams in the league, but Caleb Wilson could change that. He immediately could become the compass that points this organization out of the darkness.
5. Los Angeles Clippers – Keaton Wagler (G, Illinois)
The first of the guard prospects leaves the board at 5, giving the Clippers a running-mate for Darius Garland.\
6. Brooklyn Nets Mikel Brown Jr. (G, Louisville)
The Brooklyn Nets desperately need upside, and no guard in this class has higher upside than Brown Jr. He would immediately become their franchise cornerstone, and could rectify the lackluster 2025 draft-class.
7. Sacramento Kings – Darius Acuff (G, Arkansas)
While there has been Kingston Flemings buzz for the Kings, I cannot imagine them passing on Acuff.
8. Atlanta Hawks – Aday Mara (C, Michigan)
After the Kristaps Porzingis trade the Hawks opened up a large need at center. Mara adds dominant size, rebounding, and sneaky playmaking that fills the Hawks biggest need.
9. Dallas Mavericks – Kingston Flemings (G, Houston)
Flemings at 9 feels like a dream, and lessens the pain of the Mavericks falling to 9. Flemings would bring a much needed injection of speed and playmaking to a guard room that desperately needs it, and would be the perfect running-mate long term next to Cooper Flagg.
10. Milwaukee Bucks – Nate Ament (F, Tennesee)
With the inevitable trade of Giannis Antetokounmpo looming, the Bucks swing for upside in Ament.
11. San Antonio Spurs (via Warriors) – Yaxel Lendeborg (F, Michigan)
The first trade of the mock has the Spurs jumping up 9 spots for Lendeborg. The Michigan forward would bring much needed size for the Spurs on the wing, and could help contribute to winning right away.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder – Brayden Burries (G, Arizona)
A pick that will frustrate Mavericks fans, as Burries is a perfect fit for the Thunder, and would only strengthen their hard-nosed, defensive identity.
13. Miami Heat – Cameron Carr (G,F Baylor)
If you want freaky measurables and supreme athleticism, look no further than Cam Carr. The Baylor guard would bring much need excitement to a dull Miami team.
14. Charlotte Hornets – Jayden Quaintance (C, Kentucky)
The Hornets desperately need more size on the interior, and while Quanintance does have real injury concerns, his upside on the defensive end is tremendous.
15. Chicago Bulls – Hannes Steinbach (C, Washington)
Paring Caleb Wilson with a center with shooting chops is a match made in heaven and would give the Bulls their front-line of the future.
16. Memphis Grizzlies – LaBaron Philon Jr. (G, Alabama)
With Ja Morant’s departure feeling inevitable, the Grizzlies scoop up Philon who fell in this mock. Philon is a top 10 player on my big board, giving the Grizzlies great value at 16.
17. Dallas Mavericks (via OKC) – Allen Graves (F, Santa Clara)
Perhaps the most divisive moment on Monday night’s stream was selecting Allen Graves over Morez Johnson Jr. While I understand the sentiment, Graves is a perfect modern-day NBA wing, and fits perfectly next to Cooper Flagg. The cost of moving up was P.J. Washington, who Graves would effectively replace in the Mavericks rotation.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via CHA) – Ebuka Okorie (G, Stanford)
The first crazy trade of the stream happened at 18, as our stand-in GM’s agreed on a Rudy Gobert to the Hornets trade, with the Timberwolves getting pick 18. Okorie would finally give the Wolves another great ball handler to pair with Anthony Edwards.
19. Toronto Raptors – Bennet Stirtz (G, Iowa)
The Raptors are in desperate need of another scoring option, and Stirtz would provide immediate 3-level scoring that the Raptors desperately need.
20. Golden State Warriors (via SAS) – Morez Johnson Jr. (F, Michigan)
The Warriors trade back 9 spots and end up with a player that many have top 15. Johnson Jr. would provide an immediate spark while giving the Warriors a player for the post Steph Curry era.
21. Detroit Pistons – Isaiah Evans (G, Duke)
The Pistons could despertely use more floor spacing, and Evans provides that in spades while not effecting their defensive mentality.
22. Philadelphia 76ers – Dailyn Swain (F, Texas)
Swain fell a bit in this mock, but makes perfect sense for the 76ers who could use more slashing and self creation on the wing.
23. Atlanta Hawks – Christian Anderson (G, Texas Tech)
After taking Aday Mara at 8 in this mock, the Hawks fill their other big need by adding Anderson who brings exciting shooting and creation as a guard to replace CJ Mccolum.
24. New York Knicks – Chris Cenac Jr. (C, Houston)
With Mitchell Robinson’s future in question, the Knicks could search for a replacement. Cenac is raw, but has tremendous upside and potential, and won’t have to contribute right away.
25. Dallas Mavericks (via LAL) – Joshua Jefferson (F/C, Iowa State)
Another trade! This time sending Daniel Gafford for the 25th pick, selecting Joshua Jefferson. Jefferson is a unique and well rounded forward with real defensive upside who could also become a small ball center.
26. Denver Nuggets – Luigi Suigo (C, Italy)
The Nuggets have been without a player that could spell Nikola Jokic for years. Suigo is incredibly raw, but his 7’4 frame could prove intriguing for a league that features Victor Wembanyama.
27. Boston Celtics – Henri Veesaar (C, North Carolina)
The Celtics tried in vain to solve their center woes at the trade deadline last season, and will be looking to upgrade the position again. Veesaar bring a large frame and shooting upside that could be tantalizing for the Celtics.
28. Brooklyn Nets (via MIN) – Koa Peat (F, Arizona)
The Nets received this pick by absorbing Julius Randle’s contract in the aforementioned Rudy Gobert trade. The Nets need to swing on upside, and Peat has some of the highest in this class.
29. Cleveland Cavaliers – Karim Lopez (F, New Zealand)
The Cavaliers are in desperate need for a wing, and Lopez could step in and help right away. Lopez is raw but very talented, multiple things the Cavaliers need.
30. Dallas Mavericks – Meleek Thomas (G, Arkansas)
The 4th and final pick for the Mavericks in this mock draft is one that seeks to address the lack of shooting. Thomas is an elite shooter who can play both guard spots, and could fit next to Kingston Flemings.
