In the latest mock draft from CBS Sports' Jeff Goodman, the Dallas Mavericks, with a huge number of near-elite guards to choose from at No. 17, take Weber State PG Damian Lillard:
The Weber State star is the top point guard on the board -- and the Mavs need a young floor leader. Lillard will be questioned because he played in the Big Sky and whether he possesses true point guard skills, but he can shoot it and is athletic enough to get by guys at the next level. He'll also get a chance to learn from one of the best in Jason Kidd.
While Lillard obviously isn't much of a household name, he put up extremely impressive statistics at Weber State. As a senior, he averaged 24.5 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists on 47% shooting on a team that went 25-7 and lost in the Big Sky championship game.
At 6'2 185, the biggest question for Lillard's draft stock is whether he can play the point guard position full time or whether he is more suited for a scorer's role off the bench, as he doesn't have the height to be a shooting guard at the next level.
He had to shoulder a huge offensive burden in college, but his assist to turnover ratio improved to 1.74 as a senior and he never played selfishly despite the fact this teammates were far less talented.
If that scouting report sounds similar, it's because his game resembles that of enigmatic third-year guard Rodrigue Beaubois. And while Goodman mentions that Kidd could be a good mentor for Lillard, as Beaubois found out, that would entail Rick Carlisle actually being willing to cut the minutes of his veteran guards.
A highlight video from Lillard's senior season:
For more news and analysis about the Mavericks draft plans, stay tuned to the SB Nation Dallas storystream as well as Mavs Moneyball.