5 prospects the Mavericks could target in the first round of the 2020 NBA draft

Though the NBA has already postponed the 2020 draft lottery and combine amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the June 25 draft remains on the league’s schedule -- at least for now.

The Mavericks should be active.

If the current standings remain in place:

-- Dallas will pick at No. 18 in the first round. The Mavericks will have just one first-round pick (2022) in the following three years because of the Kristaps Porzingis trade.

-- Dallas will hold the first spot in the second round (No. 31) because it received Golden State’s 2020 second-round pick via the 2016 Andrew Bogut trade.

-- Dallas will not have another second-round pick because it traded one, via Utah, in January to acquire Willie Cauley-Stein from the Warriors and traded its own in 2017 to Philadelphia for Nerlens Noel.

The draft order could change, depending on whether and how the NBA resumes the season. So could the timeline, should the league push back the draft. Evaluation opportunities, either virtual or in-person, could alter player projections, too.

With that in mind, here’s an early look at five prospects the Mavericks could target in the 2020 draft:

Kira Lewis Jr., PG, Alabama

Lewis finished his sophomore season by averaging 18.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game. He shot 45.9% from the field and 36.6% from 3-point range. Aside from his statistics, Lewis’ tendencies and intangibles offer a strong fit in the Mavericks’ rotation.

The 6-3, 165-pound Lewis can play on and off the ball, a prerequisite for guards to work alongside the Mavericks’ focal star, Luka Doncic. Lewis turned 19 last month, making him younger than some of the one-and-done prospects in this year’s pool and signaling a strong upside.

Lewis, who has also played in the USA Basketball system, could rise into the lottery projections as the draft logistics, interviews and evaluation options become more clear.

But his potential to work well in a Mavericks offense always in search of more shooting depth is already evident.

Devin Vassell, G, Florida State

Improved defensive play was one of the biggest focuses as the Mavericks approached last February’s trade deadline. Vassell could offer that combination of 3-point shooting and defense Dallas covets.

As a sophomore last season, the 6-7, 194-pound Vassell shot 41.5% from 3-point range and averaged 1.4 steals per game. He also led Florida State in average scoring (12.7 points) and rebounding (5.1) as the Seminoles finished the coronavirus-shortened season in the AP poll’s top five.

Vassell, who made the 2020 Naismith Award Defensive Player of the Year midseason top 15, appeared primed to shine in March Madness before the NCAA canceled its basketball tournaments.

While he could rise into the lottery with strong pre-draft showings, perhaps his shortened sophomore season may contribute to his reaching the Mavericks in the bottom half of the first round.

Saddiq Bey, F, Villanova

As a sophomore, Bey took the lead of Villanova’s illustrious program. He led the team, which finished in the AP top 10, in average scoring (16.1 points per game) and was third in average rebounds (4.7).

Bey’s best attribute to fit the Mavericks: efficient 3-point shooting.

The 6-8, 216-pound wing shot 45.1% from 3-point range, leading Villanova by 5.9 percentage points and ranking No. 4 in the country among all qualified players. The Mavericks’ offense, which scored at a historic efficiency in 2019-20, relies heavily on 3-point production and spacing, and Bey appears ready to contribute as a shooter.

Another bonus: The Mavericks have already had success developing a recent Villanova product, 2018 second-rounder Jalen Brunson.

Theo Maledon, PG, ASVEL Basket

A list of potential Mavericks draftees without including a European prospect? Impossible.

Between general manager Donnie Nelson’s longtime connections to international scouting and the franchise’s commitment to evaluating abroad, the Mavericks often have an edge in identifying European talent.

While an injury sidelined him for part of the last season and his statistics -- 7.4 points and 3.1 assists a game -- in the EuroLeague didn’t shine, Maledon out of France is one of the top non-NCAA prospects in this year’s pool.

At 6-4 and 198 pounds, Maledon can play on and off the ball -- again, an important attribute when teaming with Doncic -- and his athleticism could translate to success as an NBA defender.

Isaiah Stewart, C, Washington

Aside from shooting and defensive acumen in the backcourt and on the wing, the Mavericks could look toward building depth in the frontcourt.

Stewart would be a likely candidate late in the first round -- or perhaps when the Mavericks pick early in the second.

Stewart’s ascent to becoming a one-and-done prospect includes winning the 2019 Naismith High School National Player of the Year award in 2019 and playing in the USA Basketball system. In his lone season at Washington, which has produced four first-round picks in the last four drafts, Stewart averaged 17 points and 8.8 rebounds and tallied 14 double-doubles.

The Mavericks’ frontcourt features mainstays in Kristaps Porzingis, Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell, but Boban Marjanovic and Willie Cauley-Stein will be free agents after the 2020-21 season.

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