Mavs Draft Dynamic Houston Backcourt Talent in Latest Mock Projection

The Dallas Mavericks have been connected to a variety of prospects throughout the pre-draft process, but the latest Associated Press mock draft sends one of the nation's most exciting young guards to Dallas.

In the projection, the Mavericks use their lottery pick on Houston standout Kingston Flemings, a player who could become an important piece of the franchise's long-term future alongside Cooper Flagg.

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"The 6-3, 183-pound freshman was a third-team AP All-American as a lead guard capable of being disruptive defensively," AP writes. "Flemings was an efficient shooter capable of pressuring teams in transition or off the dribble. He finished with a nearly 3:1 assist-to-turnover ratio and posted a Cougars freshman-record 42 points in a loss to Texas Tech."

Flemings enters the NBA after an outstanding freshman season at Houston, where he quickly established himself as one of college basketball's top guards.

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The Texas native averaged 16 points, five assists, and just over a steal per game while helping lead the Cougars to another successful season. Flemings also got all of those stats while shooting an impressive 47 percent from the field and 38 percent from three.

For Dallas, the selection would represent an investment in backcourt talent at a time when the franchise is balancing present contention with future planning. Kyrie Irving remains one of the league's elite guards, but adding a young playmaker with Flemings' upside could give the Mavericks another building block as they continue constructing a roster around Flagg.

And even if Irving isn't the same player after his ACL tear, he would be an incredible mentor to a young guard like Flemings.

Interestingly, many recent mock drafts have linked Dallas to wings, shooters and frontcourt prospects. Some analysts have even suggested that adding size around Flagg should be the organization's top priority. However, selecting Flemings would signal that the Mavericks believe elite talent and long-term upside outweigh positional concerns.

If the AP's projection becomes reality, Dallas would be adding a highly competitive guard who has produced at every level and still has significant room to grow. With his athleticism, basketball IQ and two-way potential, Flemings could eventually develop into the type of dynamic backcourt player every contender needs.

For a Mavericks team trying to build a sustainable winner around Flagg, that could be a move well worth making.