Mavs search for Day 1 contributor as pre-draft workouts continue
Earl K. Sneed continues to look ahead to the NBA Draft on June 28, writing that the Dallas Mavericks are in search of a young player that can step in and contribute immediately with the No. 17 pick.
Mavs search for Day 1 contributor as pre-draft workouts continue
DALLAS -- If the Dallas Mavericks already have a certain play in mind as the NBA Draft approaches, then they are certainly doing a great job at not showing their cards.
With the No. 17 pick overall and a second-round selection (No. 55 overall) as well, the Mavericks have been working out players daily on the practice court at the American Airlines Center in preparation for the draft on June 28. But as Mavs video coordinator and scout Mike Shedd detailed in the first of Mavs.com’s “Scout’s Eye” series, there’s no assurance of which position -- and furthermore which player -- the Dallas front office has atop its priority list.
According to Shedd, four forwards traveled to Dallas on Monday looking to impress the Dallas brass enough to be selected in the first round. That was followed up by six guards working out privately for the Mavericks’ staff on Tuesday, with centers and interior players expected in town on Wednesday.
Still, however, the Mavs remain silent as to which of the talented collegiate stars or elite foreigners may be on their radar.
“Try to put them through enough different skill work and competitive things, just so [Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and GM Donnie Nelson] have a good grasp when they come next Thursday night for the draft for this pick to make the best decision possible for the team,” Shedd said is the goal for the workouts.
He added: “Like Donnie has said in the past, at 17 you’ve gotta find a guy that’s gonna be able to help you. In the state and where we are with the Mavs, you’re gonna have to find somebody that’s gonna be able to contribute. Not necessarily a starter off the bat, but somebody that is capable, whether it’s a quicker penetration guy, a better scorer or a big that can help score in the paint. So, it’s my job to give them the biggest wide range, so they can make a better decision.”
And as next Thursday night’s draft inches closer, the Mavericks’ heads will have an opportunity to lock in on a Day 1 contributor. That is if they haven’t already.
