With the NBA draft now only a day away, one of the biggest outstanding questions is the eventual landing spot of Baylor star Perry Jones III.
While many NBA talent evaluators think Jones will be long gone by the time the Dallas Mavericks at No. 17, his stock has dipped into the middle of the first round in recent mock drafts.
In Jeff Goodman's latest mock for CBS Sports, the college basketball analyst has the Mavericks ending Jones' slide:
Perry Jones III, PF, Baylor: Considered soft, PJ3 is ultra-talented. He would be able to learn under Dirk -- and wouldn't have to do too much right way.
With the NBA becoming smaller, Dallas has had success playing athletic 4's like Brandan Wright and Brandon Bass next to Dirk at the 5, and Jones is a far better athlete than either.
A Duncanville native, Jones could stay close to his friends and family in the Metroplex if the Mavericks picked him, which isn't always a good thing for a newly minted millionaire who grew up in poverty. That dynamic would only add to the difficulty of Dallas' decision if Jones falls to them on Thursday night.
For more coverage on Baylor's NBA draft prospects, stay tuned to the SB Nation Dallas storystream and Our Daily Bears. For more on the Mavericks draft plans, stay tuned to the SB Nation Dallas storystream as well as Mavs Moneyball.