2019 NBA Draft grades for every team: Pelicans get an A+, Rockets an F

2019 NBA Draft grades for every team: Pelicans get an A+, Rockets get an F

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: Zion Williamson poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted with the first overall pick by the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

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DENVER, CO – MARCH 14: Kristaps Porzingis #6 and Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks react to a play during the game against the Denver Nuggets on March 14, 2019 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Dallas Mavericks – C+

45th Overall – Isaiah Roby, Forward (Nebraska)

The Dallas Mavericks lost out on their lottery pick this year as they gave it to the Atlanta Hawks as part of the Luka Doncic and Trae Young trade during the 2018 NBA Draft. The pick was top-five protected but it landed at 10th overall and so it conveyed to the Hawks. When they were on the clock for the first time all night at 37th they moved that pick to the Detroit Pistons in return for the 45th overall pick.

Dallas would use that selection to take Isaiah Roby out of Nebraska. Roby is the type of player that a lot of teams are searching for given the landscape of the current NBA. Roby is capable of playing either forward spot and with some time in an NBA strength training program, he could see some minutes as a small-ball five in the future. The one area in which Roby’s game is lacking right now is on the perimeter. He did a lot of his damage around the basket for the Cornhuskers during his three years there. He left as a decent perimeter shooter, but it remains a weakness of his game as he joins the Mavericks.

Like other teams, Dallas also managed to save themselves some money during the draft. With no first rounder and trading back in the second round they are going to spend one of the smallest amounts when they sign their rookie class of one this year. Kristaps Porzingis is a restricted free agent and not only do the Mavericks want him back regardless of cost they are also looking to bring in another high-priced free agent to team with Doncic and Porzingis with the hope of getting this franchise back into the playoffs as early as next year.

They might not have been very active during the draft but if Mark Cuban is able to wine and dine another big money player to join his team in state tax free Texas then their two 2019 NBA Draft related deals will have been a huge win for this team, especially with the Western Conference being up for grabs at the moment.

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