With the NBA Draft approaching Thursday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's mock draft has both the Mavericks and Spurs getting talented players with their first-round picks.
At No. 9, the Mavericks may be in a position to take North Carolina state point guard Dennis Smith, one of the fastest and most athletic guards in the draft. He’s only 6-foot-2, but he plays bigger than that, with a quick first step and an impressive highlight reel despite playing just one year with the Wolfpack.
For the Spurs at No. 29, the AJC projects Ivan Rabb, a 6-11 power forward who averaged 14 points and 10.5 rebounds as a sophomore for California last season. A likely lottery pick after his freshman year, Rabb returned to Cal and didn’t progress as well as some scouts would like, leaving him as a likely late first-rounder now. However, many scouts like his frame, and he could have a lot of potential for the Spurs at No. 29.
The Rockets don’t have a first-round pick this season because they lost it to the Los Angeles Lakers in their February trade for Lou Williams. Their first pick doesn’t come until No. 43.
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