The Dallas Mavericks are coming off of a terrific season in which they outperformed all expectations. They recently were knocked out of the Western Conference Finals by the Golden State Warriors in a gentleman's sweep. This should not take away from the success of their 52-30 record and impressive series win over the Phoenix Suns. Along with Mavs superstar Luka Doncic, the franchise took a major step forward and put itself on par with the contenders of the NBA.

This cannot change the organization's desire to improve and get closer to its ultimate goal. Next season will hold a new set of challenges and Dallas has now put the league on notice. One of the major avenues for improvement is through the NBA Draft. The Mavericks currently hold the 26th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. While most of the top-end talent will be off the board following the first 25 picks, there are several prospects who could make an impact on Dallas at this selection.

3 Best Options for Mavs at 2022 NBA Draft

Walker Kessler – Center Auburn

Walker Kessler is a legitimate 7-footer with grown-man strength. The Auburn product is an elite rim protector who averaged 4.6 blocks per game this past season. He does an excellent job staying vertical around the rim and his presence is impactful beyond the blocks. The Mavs could certainly use some help in this area.

Kessler is a solid rebounder with a good touch around the basket. He also averaged 11.4 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. The big man has intriguing stretch potential as he began extending his offense to the three-point line. While he only connected at a 20% rate, the willingness he shot the ball is encouraging.

The lack of mobility in Walker Kessler's game is a concern. He struggles when guarding on the perimeter and this will be put to the test at the NBA level. He is an incapable dribbler and at times attempts to do too much. The 20-year-old transferred from UNC after his freshman year and played the previous season at Auburn. He still has a great deal of growth to do but can be effective in a minimized role. Big man is the biggest current weakness on the Mavericks and they could benefit from investing in the development of Walker Kessler.

Bryce McGowens – SG Nebraska

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A 6'7″ wing player, Bryce McGowens has all the tools to be an effective NBA player. He is a capable ball-handler with an impressive dribble-drive game. He is also impressive in the open court, whose game could pair well with the Mavs' Luka Doncic.

McGowens averaged 16.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in his sole season at Nebraska. He has a deep offensive bag and has the potential of a three-level scorer. He is never afraid to let it fly and will provide instant offense off the bench at the NBA level.

While he initially seemed to be in the running for a lottery selection, there are some red flags in McGowens' game. He has a slender frame that can be thrown off by more physical defenders. The 19-year-old will need to add some strength to his frame to be effective at the NBA level. The Nebraska product gets tunnel vision at times on offense and must improve his shot selection. He shot just 40.3% from the field and 27.4% on three-point attempts. The long-term potential of Bryce McGowens is still there and he will translate as a solid spark off the bench. His game seems a better fit for the NBA which brings even more hope for his upside.

Orlando Robinson- Center Fresno State

A three-year starter at Fresno State, Orlando Robinson improved each season in college. He was a key player for Fresno State all three seasons and averaged 19.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 1.0 steals per game this past year. He possesses great length and is a polished big man prospect. Robinson has an impressive array of post moves and advanced creation for a big man. He is comfortable shooting from the perimeter and shot 35.2% on three-pointers this season. His three-point shooting improved from both a percentage and attempts aspect all three seasons.

The biggest concern with Orlando Robinson is if his athleticism can hold up at the NBA level. He is somewhat heavy-footed and lacks elite verticality. The 6'11” big man is a high IQ player who competes with a high motor. His 7'4″ wingspan makes up for some of this, but the transition to this at the NBA level is a concern. He also shot under 50% from the field overall all three seasons in college. The efficiency splits must improve at his minimized role at the next level. Robinson is set to make a massive jump in talent and he will need to make some key adjustments in his game.