The Dallas Mavericks entered the 2013 NBA Draft with a very deliberate strategy — move as far down as possible in the 1st round and save the cap space necessary to make a run at some of 2014′s biggest free agents including Chris Paul and Dwight Howard. If it was possible to get someone of value in the late first-round as an unexpected benefit, then so be it.
After trading down from their original No. 13 pick by wheeling and dealing with both the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks, the Mavericks have landed former Miami Hurricanes star point guard Shane Larkin. The deal hasn’t yet been finalized, but is in progress as of the time of this article.
Larkin is the highest drafted player in the history of the Hurricanes program, finishing his career at Miami with averages of 14.5 points per game, 3.8 rebounds per game and 4.6 assists per game. The son of Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famer Barry Larkin, Shane has a natural athletic ability that should allow him to make a smooth transition to the up-tempo style the Mavericks will play going forward in spite of their personnel, which is without a doubt in flux as the team prepares for their active 2014 summer.
Pedigree can so often be a predictor of future success, and if the athleticism of Barry Larkin and his workmanlike career with the Reds is any indication, Mark Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks may have an integral piece on their hands instead of just a cheap option that opens up salary cap space.
Is Shane Larkin the point guard of the future in the Big D?
We’ll see, but the possibility is definitely a strong one.
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Kris Hughes is a Senior Writer for Rant Sports. You can follow Kris on Twitter, Google and Facebook
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