This is going to be brief, mostly because the Mavs didn’t draft anyone that is a given at the NBA level. They sure like their projects with potential, though.

Rodrigue Beaubois = C
I’m giving the selection of Beaubois a C only because of where he was chosen and who was still left on the board. And this is what we’ll come back to in the future if this year’s picks don’t pan out. Dallas could have selected DeJuan Blair, Sam Young, or Chase Budinger.

These are the types of names Beaubois and GM Donnie Nelson will be compared to in the years to come. Nelson insists that Beaubois has stellar potential. Beaubois could really surprise us and put on a showtime clinic. I hope so.

It’s not that he doesn’t have athleticism or promise. It’s that the Mavericks fans have had so little to be excited about since the NBA Finals run that I’m looking for Nelson to make a big enough splash to give the fans hope. Beaubois may turn out to be an AMAZING pick. Time will tell.

Nick Calathes = C+
Nick was rated as an above average pick that could have gone late first round. Minnesota picked Calathes at #45 and traded him to Dallas. Nick will play at least one year in Europe, possibly 2-3, before he’s ever brought on the team. For the very reason that he’s not going to be in Dallas for at least a year, I had to grade this pick a C+.

I’m not a huge fan of developmental players. I’d rather Dallas pick someone who can have an impact within one year and wait on the potentials until they’ve shown something.

Ahmad Nivins = B-
I give the Ahmad Nivins selection the highest grade out of the gate simply because he’s already on his way to Dallas as I type this and will likely make the team this year. Now, whether he gets as much playing time as or replaces Brandon Bass remains to be seen. Bass is one of those players valuable enough to possibly throw into a trade this summer.

Ultimately, Nivins is too skinny for a Power Forward. He needs to beef up and show us some muscle. Dallas desperately needs some power down in the paint.

Those are my grades. The two biggest regrets I have are Sam Young and DeJuan Blair. Blair is a hoss. If he turns out to be a super stud in San Antonio and Beaubois flops, heads will roll. And by “heads will roll”, I mean someone will give Donnie Nelson a loving pimp slap.

What grades did YOU give the Mavs?

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