Over the last week, UNC PG Kendall Marshall has become the chic pick for the Dallas Mavericks at No. 17.
ESPN Insider Chad Ford went as far as saying he thought the Mavericks were Marshall's floor, and in his latest mock draft, he has the sophomore floor general being scooped up by Dallas:
Analysis: With Jason Kidd 39 and a free agent and Rodrigue Beaubois more of a combo guard, Marshall would bring much of what Kidd brings to the table -- incredible court vision and size -- right away. He's not a great athlete or a great shooter, but he could keep Dirk & Co. happy.
In a normal draft, taking a ten-year NBA PG at No. 17 wouldn't be a terrible value, but in a draft as stacked as 2012, it would be an absolute disaster.
Here's some of the players Ford would have Dallas pass on: Terrence Ross, an All-Star caliber SG, Perry Jones III, one of the most talented 6'11+ players to come in the NBA in a long-time and Royce White, a 6'8 270 point forward.
In five years, passing on any of these three players for Marshall will be laughable.
For more on the Mavericks draft plans, stay tuned to the SB Nation Dallas storystream as well as Mavs Moneyball.