8 points, 9 seconds
Fansided

The 8 Points, 9 Seconds 2018 NBA Mock Draft 1.0

By Jacob Lane

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 9: UCLA guard Aaron Holiday (3) raises his arms in triumph during the semifinal game of the mens Pac-12 Tournament between the UCLA Bruins and the Arizona Wildcats on March 9, 2018, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 9: UCLA guard Aaron Holiday (3) raises his arms in triumph during the semifinal game of the mens Pac-12 Tournament between the UCLA Bruins and the Arizona Wildcats on March 9, 2018, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 14
Next
Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Duke Blue Devils
DURHAM, NC – MARCH 03: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Duke Blue Devils concentrates at the free throw line against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Cameron Indoor Stadium on March 3, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 74-64. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

No.3: Dallas Mavericks — Marvin Bagley III, PF/C, Duke

Dallas is in the same boat as Phoenix. They just need talent, regardless of who the player is. While getting Ayton or Doncic would be nice, being able to select Bagley is a great consolation prize.

Marvin Bagley III reclassified after committing to Duke last summer, and once he stepped on the floor in Durham, he quickly showed he may be the best player in college basketball at the ripe age of 17.

There aren’t many players in the country who have the combination of skill, size, and motor that the Mavericks will receive from Bagley. Not to mention, Bagley may be the best rebounding big man coming out of college basketball in quite some time (averaged 14 rebounds a game, per 40 minutes).

There is so much to love about Bagley III, who is averaging 21 points, 12 rebounds, and 1 block per game, while shooting 60% from the field. However, serious questions surround what position Bagley plays at the next level. Standing at 6’11 and weighing at 235 pounds, Bagley III likely plays the 4, but would need to  put on some muscle in order to withstand the rigors of the NBA, and make up for his lack of length. There’s also some clamoring for Bagley III to play on the wing due to his athleticism and skill, however Bagley only made 20 three’s this season, shooting just 36%.

At the end of the day, Bagley’s talent is undeniable. And at just 18 years old, Bagley’s motor, position versatility and athleticism makes him the perfect fit on a struggling Dallas team in desperate need for a star.

Home/Pacers Draft