While the Dallas Mavericks have played their cards very close to the vest in terms of which prospects they are interested in, with the draft now less than a week away, a few names are starting to leak out.
In a conversation with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Ryan Blake, the NBA's senior director of scouting operations, gave five names the Mavericks could be considering: SG Terrence Ross (Washington), PF Arnett Moultrie (Mississippi State), SF Moe Harkless (St. John's), C Meyers Leonard (Illinois) and PG Kendall Marshall (UNC).
All five positions are represented, as Dallas doesn't appear to be drafting for need and may take the best player on the board when they are on the clock at No. 17.
Marshall has been linked to the Mavericks for awhile, but he's the least interesting prospect of the five. Ross has the most star potential, while Moultrie's size and athleticism at 6'11 235 will allow him to contribute immediately as member of Dallas' big man rotation.
Willie Funk wrote an article breaking down exactly why Marshall would be a terrible fit.
Harkless and Leonard are both projects. Harkless, an athletic 6'8 205 wing, has a well-rounded offensive and defensive game, but he'll need to develop a perimeter jumper to become an effective starter. Leonard, an athletic 7'1 250 center, has the potential to eventually replace Tyson Chandler, but he's still a somewhat raw 20-year old and will need to be brought along slowly.
For more on the Mavericks draft plans, stay tuned to the SB Nation Dallas storystream as well as Mavs Moneyball.