NBA Mock Draft: Dallas Mavericks Select Dennis Smith From NC State

SB Nation's NBA Network conducted a mock draft with bloggers from each team site making their team’s picks. To continue the 2017 NBA Mock Draft, Mavs Moneyball selects Dennis Smith from NC State

By Dakota Schmidt@Dakota_Schmidt Jun 15, 2017, 4:00pm EDT

NBA Mock Draft Pick #9 — Dennis Smith, Point Guard, NC State

SBNation’s Dallas Mavericks’ blog Mavs Moneyball explains their pick:

Dennis Smith Jr. is great value for Dallas at #9. As a point guard, he addresses arguably the Mavs’ biggest need -- though not their only one, certainly -- and the NC State product is in my view a top 5 talent in this draft, overall. That he’s available now tells you he has some flaws, but with NBA quality shooters to space the floor, I can see Smith, Jr. thriving in Rick Carlisle's pick-and-roll heavy offense. The Mavericks get a potentially major piece of their post-Dirk rebuilding effort here.

Ridiculous Upside Analysis

Although the Mavericks definitely had success with grabbing Yogi Ferrell from the NBA D-League, it would still be a good idea to grab a top-flight point guard for the future. Dennis Smith definitely has that potential as he’s terrific as a pick-and-roll guard due to his ability to throw precise passes while also getting to the paint whenever he desires. Although Smith will still need to refine his work as a shooter and defense, he could definitely be a nice fit alongside young Mavs big Nerlens Noel.