DALLAS (105.3 The Fan) - We've made it to draft night.
The Mavericks are currently slated to make the No. 18 and No. 31 selections Wednesday night, but they could also move the picks in a deal that nets them a veteran player.
Without taking a trade into consideration, let's take one final look at who the experts think the Mavs might pick in the first-round tonight.
Jonathan Givony, ESPN: Kira Lewis Jr. (Alabama, PG, Sophomore)
Lewis, 19, is a 6'3" point guard from Alabama. Giovony says he has "impressive speed and plus-shooting indicators" and he is "capable of playing on or off the ball."
Lewis averaged 18.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.8 steals per game for the Crimson Tide last season. He earned All-SEC First-Team honors in 2020.
Zach Buckley, Bleacher Report: Aleksej Pokusevski, (Olympiacos II, PF, 2001)
Kevin O'Connor, The Ringer: Aleksej Pokusevski, (Olympiacos II, PF, 2001)
Jeremy Woo, Sports Illustrated: Aleksej Pokusevski, (Olympiacos II, PF, 2001)
Krysten Peek, Yahoo: Aleksej Pokusevski, (Olympiacos II, PF, 2001)
Many draft experts are now predicting the Mavs will pick Pokusevski, a seven-footer from Serbia. The 18-year-old played for Olympiacos B in the Greek second division. According to O'Connor, Pokusevski has "versatile shooting potential" and is a "nifty passer who can deliver a variety of precise dimes."
Pokusevski isn't expected to make an immediate impact on the team who picks him. Furthermore, several experts expect him to be two years away from being a contributor on an NBA team. However, O'Connor adds that Pokusevski's "talent is undeniable" and "he could end up being the steal of the draft."
Gary Parrish, CBS Sports: Tyrese Maxey (Kentucky, SG, Freshman)
Maxey, 20, is a 6'3" shooting guard from Dallas. He was a McDonald's All-American at South Garland High School in 2019. He earned All-SEC Second-Team honors in 2020.
Maxey averaged 14 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and nearly a steal a game for the Wildcats last season
Ricky O'Donnell, SB Nation: Josh Green (Arizona, SF, Freshman)
Green, 19, is a 6'6" shooting guard from Sydney, Australia. He was named a McDonald's All-American while playing for IMG Academy in Florida in 2019.
Green averaged 12 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.5 steals per game in 30 games played for the Wildcats last season.
According to O'Donnell, "Green is the definition of an elite athlete on the wing while also offering projectable spot-up shooting."
Raphielle Johnson, Rotoworld: Jalen Smith (Maryland, PF/C, Sophomore)
Smith, 20, is a 6'10" forward/center from Virginia. He averaged 15.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game 31 games played for the Terps last season.
Johnson says Smith is "athletic and works hard on both ends of the floor." He shot pretty well for a big-man, shooting 36.8% from three and 53.8% from the field.