NBA Draft 2020: Biggest needs for each Western Conference franchise

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: The first round draft board is seen during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 23: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks celebrates (Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images) /

. team. 79. . . . Dallas Mavericks

Biggest needs: Point guard, “3 and D” wing, and center

Projected draft picks: 18 and 31

It was a major leap for the Mavericks and Luka Doncic, who became arguably a top-5 player in the NBA. The second-year guard’s stats (28.8 ppg, 9.4 rpg, and 8.8 apg) are just absurd and once his shooting improves, will be an annual MVP candidate for the next decade.

The supporting cast also had their fair share of bright spots, including Kristaps Porzingis (20.4 ppg and 9.5 rpg) being finally healthy after missing an entire season. The other key piece in that Dallas-New York trade was Tim Hardaway Jr., who was third on the team with 15.8 ppg. The Mavericks offense was historically good, with the highest offensive rating in NBA history, while scoring 117 ppg overall.

The offense is not the issue for the team but there are still areas of weakness to address. The first being the starting point guard. While Doncic is the lead distributor, it would help to have another ball-handler who can take over the offense and give him a breather. The team is rumored to be interested in Chris Paul of Oklahoma City but if not him, needs to find a point guard capable of defending as an upgrade to Jalen Brunson and JJ Barea.

Adding a frontcourt player who can defend is also a possibility. Between liabilities Maxi Kleber and Boban Marjanovic, along with Willie Cauley-Stein possibly departing as a free agent, the Mavericks could do well with finding an athletic and versatile big man who can defend. Maryland’s Jalen Smith is an option in the middle of the 1st round, as Minnesota’s Daniel Oturu.

With the first pick of the second round, one player Dallas should target is Ty-Shon Alexander. The 6’4 Creighton guard led his team in scoring at 16.9 ppg but is more known for being an elite defender. He may be too small to be an actual wing but in terms of true “3 and D” players in this draft, few are better than Alexander, and defense should be the theme for this franchise’s selections.

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