Mavericks Draft: The Point Guards

Jun. 19, 2016

Deron Williams, Raymond Felton, Devin Harris, and JJ Barea. Dallas' point guard depth was relatively impressive this past season, but it's about to take a hit. Deron Williams will opt out of his current contract and look to make more money. Whether that's in Dallas or somewhere else is yet to be seen, but in my mind, it's time to move on if he wants more than what he got last year. Raymond Felton, the respected veteran that averaged nearly 10 points, 4 assists, and 3 boards off the bench, is also a free agent and will likely get a pay raise somewhere as well. Everybody loves Raymond (pun intended), but I wouldn't be real excited about overpaying a 32 year old point guard *cough JJ Barea cough*. Speaking of, Barea had his best year by far this past season, especially in the month of April when he averaged 17 points per game. But, he's about to be 32 and is much better in the backup role as a whole. Finally, Devin Harris. Harris is 33 years old with a lengthy injury history. He already had surgery this summer coming off a year where he averaged 7.6 points and 1.8 assists per game. Harris played a lot as the backup shooting guard position, and I'm afraid his role in Dallas is slowly disappearing. Harris was good for Dallas, but I think he makes for excellent trade bait (maybe to trade up in the draft????).

Remember the last point guard Dallas drafted? Hint: he's 5'11, averaging almost 6 points per game, playing for the Nets, and was taken ahead of Giannis Antetokounmpo (I will forever be bitter about that). Yeah, it's Shane Larkin. Dallas will likely address the starting point guard position through free agency, whether it's bringing back Deron Williams, signing a second tier free agent like Jeremy Lin (Dallas is very fond of him), or picking up a big name like Mike Conley, the ideal option. But Dallas could really find some depth for next season and the future with the 46th overall pick, so let's look at the guys they should have a chance to select from this deep in the draft.

Kay Felder

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Chad Ford Overall Rank: 49

DraftExpress Rank: 55

2015-16 Statistics: 24.4 PPG, 9.3 AST, 4.3 REB

Analysis: I really, really, really like this kid. He is a perfect mixture of Isaiah Thomas and JJ Barea. At 5'10, Felder is clearly an undersized point guard, but that does't mean he can't succeed in the NBA. Is it a gamble? Absolutely. Could it pay off? Absolutely. Most people believe Felder's 24 points per game come as a result of playing lower competition at Oakland University, those people need to check the stats. In December, Felder put up 37 points and 9 assists against the number 1 ranked Michigan State University, although his team ended up losing by 6 in OT. Okay, one good game against one good team. Well, later that month, Kay played the number 5 ranked University of Virginia and dropped 30 points on them on 45% shooting. The kid can play. His ball handling skills are so crisp and he can score from literally anywhere on the court. He creates incredible space with his shiftiness, but can even finish through tough defense. At his height, he can't finish well over length, but he welcomes contact when attacking the basket. Much like JJ Barea, his size hinders his defense, but he's a pest and a hard worker which makes him a good defender, especially for his size. Felder will likely be a fan favorite anywhere he goes due to his effort and the underdog mentality that people will stick on him with his height. He does just about everything right; if he was bigger, the kid would be a first round pick. Shane Larkin was undersized, but he didn't play anything like Kay Felder, so don't make that comparison. Felder has 6th man potential in the NBA, the only question is, does Dallas have enough room on the bench for two undersized point guards?

Gary Payton II

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Chad Ford Overall Rank: 55

DraftExpress Rank: 50

2015-16 Statistics: 16.0 PPG, 5.0 AST, 7.8 REB

Analysis: Yes, the son of The Glove is about to try to make a name for himself in the NBA. Payton is an explosive athlete that gets to the basket with shifty cuts and slick moves to the basket. When he gets there, Gary Payton II finishes at the rim 65% of the time and does so with extreme authority. Payton can shoot well enough to keep a defender on him on the perimeter at 31% from three, but he's much better close to the basket. Junior's offense is impressive and fun to watch, but his defensive potential is the real facet of his game that will earn him a roster spot somewhere in the NBA. Much like his father, Gary Payton II has incredible anticipation when it comes to picking the ball from the other team's pocket. Payton steals the ball 2.9 times per 40 minutes played and his length allows him to play the passing lanes incredibly well. Payton is much better off the ball than he is when running the point when it comes to creating offense for himself. Payton is a far cry from a true point guard as his passing is nothing special. 5 assists per game is good, but he really seems to miss his open teammates a lot when running the show. Defense and attacking the basket is something Dallas really lacks coming off the bench, so Payton can really help them there. Payton needs some polish, but don't be surprised if he becomes a real contributor to a team in the next couple of seasons.

Marcus Paige

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Chad Ford Overall Rank: 65

DraftExpress Rank: 64

2015-16 Statistics: 12.6 PPG, 3.8 AST, 2.5 REB

Analysis: Marcus Paige, now a senior, has led the North Carolina Tar Heels since his freshman year at the point guard position. After four years, Paige has learned a lot as a starting point guard for one of the best basketball programs of all time. He plays mistake free basketball and is extremely mature. Paige is definitely a score first point guard, but he makes the smart pass when it's there and only turns the all over 1.2 times per game. At nearly 36%, Paige is a capable three point scorer, but his range is a bit limited. Where Paige's points will come from at the professional level will be in the mid range and blowing past his defender with his elite first step. Paige needs to add a lot of strength to get consistent playing time at the professional level, but his main deficiency will be his range. If he can push it out and knock down the three consistently, he could be a backup point guard in due time. Playing the high level of competition he did for four straight years will do him a lot of good in the NBA. Paige averaged nearly 18 points per game in his sophomore season and likely could have done that again in his junior and senior season if it weren't for all the talent the Tar Heels brought in, as they always do. Paige is smart, and Rick Carlisle likes smart player, so he could find himself some playing time off of Dallas' bench at some point if he is the pick.

Yogi Ferrell

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Chad Ford's Overall Rank: 77

DraftExpress Rank: 63

2015-16 Statistics: 17.3 PPG, 5.6 AST, 3.8 REB

Analysis: Kevin "Yogi" Ferrell is another four year starter that plays with an extremely high basketball IQ. No matter where he ends up, I will be pulling for Yogi as he's been one of my favorite NCAA players since he was a sophomore at Indiana. Like Felder, he's undersized at 6'0, 178 pounds, but what he lacks in height, he makes up for in heart (wow that was cheesy) and skill. Yogi is a pure point guard; he sees the floor so well and although his stats don't really show it, he seems to be a pass first point guard. His three point percentage steadily improved from his freshman season at 30% up to 42% by the end of his senior year. He can pull up off the dribble from behind the line with incredible rhythm, especially in transition. Although he's undersized, he gets to the basket and finishes there incredibly well. The defense really isn't there for Ferrell, especially since he's so small, but if a team has a strong defender at the two, he'll be just fine. Pairing a guy like Yogi with Wesley Matthews could make a lot of sense. Wes' defense paired with Yogi's lack there of will be beneficial, and then when you let the Iron Man get open around the perimeter and let Yogi find him, it could be very very good. Dallas doesn't have a true point guard coming off the bench, and Ferrell could become that, especially after playing out all four years of his eligibility at Indiana.

All four of these point guards are going to be solid players at the NBA level in my mind. Felder, Paige, and Ferrell have all had or will have workouts with the Mavericks prior to the draft, and could very well find themselves in a Dallas jersey next season. I really believe all four of these guys will be available for the Mavs at 46 on the night of the draft, and I would love to see any of them as the pick. But one in particular. Felder would be a love or hate pick for most fans (love for me). People will be scared that he'll turn out like Larkin, but there's a good chance that he ends up more like an Isaiah Thomas, who was the last pick in 2011 and is one inch shorter than the Oakland junior.