Need to know who the top NBA prospects are and how they might fit with the Mavericks? SportsDayDFW caught up with NBA draft and college basketball experts to talk about some notable players and what the Mavs could do.

This week, we talked to Sports Illustrated's Jeremy Woo about his latest mock draft, the draft as a whole and multiple players. Here are some highlights, edited for length and clarity.

What’s your assessment on this draft class as a whole?

Woo: I think it's shaped out pretty well, to be honest. I think there's some depth if you really go down probably going into the 30s a lot of guys who I think have a chance to become good role players in that situation. I think there's depth. If you're talking about the top, there's probably those five guys who I think are solid players who have a chance to be really good. If you go into the middle of the lottery I think it's more of a mixed bag. There's variance but definitely some potential to be very good starting caliber players.

Your latest mock draft had the Mavs picking Mohamed Bamba. Do you think it will stay that way all the way up until the draft? What’s your reasoning for picking Bamba?

Woo: It could change. A lot of what I'm projecting in the mock is based on intel and what not. Right now I have that way until something changes, but it won't surprise me if things change. I think the Mavericks will obviously get one of those top five guys depending on who falls to that spot. I have him there just based on that scenario. I think it's possible they look at Michael Porter. I'm sure they will look at him hard. I would expect him to be there for them. If his back, if they feel comfortable with where it's at, I think they can and should go that route.

But Bamba is a player that I think has a lot of potential. That’s the word you’re going to hear with him a lot. The sheer size and the verticality in his game is something will always be valuable when you look at prospects, and he’s off the charts there. Defensively I think he’s definitely going to give you something. They have a need up front. I think that’s a player that could make a lot of sense for them.

How would he fit for the Mavs if his offensive game isn’t as polished right now?

Woo: I still think he'd fit. You'd have the long view when you're looking at it. I think having a guy like that as a guy to build your defense around is a great thing. The Nerlens Noel thing hasn't really worked out. Since Tyson Chandler, Dallas hasn't really had a guy they could really lean on in the middle. I think having that in place and having him and Dennis Smith and having those as your two future building blocks. That's not a bad place to be in.

What’s a good NBA comparison for Bamba?

Woo: Everyone is going to see Rudy Gobert. I don't think there's a great comparison for him. I think defensively he needs to get stronger and reach his full potential. He's a kid who has his head on his shoulders. He's smart. I think that'll work in his favor. I think there's a chance he becomes a really valuable year to year defensive guy as a shot blocker. It's tricky because you don't know what his offense is going to be. He can shoot a little bit. He's not the most confident offensive player. He does have some level of touch. He needs to refine that and figure out what his bread and butter is going to be. I can see him being sort of a pick-and-pop guy, a guy who could catch lobs and will sort of have that rim-running, step out and shoot threes. Which is really not bad when you couple of that with the defense.

Mo Bamba always said he could shoot it. pic.twitter.com/m2PhJ4TeXc — Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) November 22, 2017

Does [Michael Porter Jr.] have one of the higher ceilings in this draft?

Woo: With him it's just hard to say because it depends where his body is at. I think he can become a good starter. Some of the stuff with his ceiling may have been overblown over the years. In his best case scenario he'll be a high-level scorer or starting caliber player. I don't see him as a superstar.

How would he fit with the Mavs roster?

Woo: I think he'd be fine. You're drafting him for five years from now really. I don't think that'd be a concern. With Dirk [Nowitzki] probably having a year or two left, and Barnes is a guy that can play the 3 and the 4. Porter is sort of similar in that respect where he can play both forward spots. I don't see it as a problem.

Would Wendell Carter be a safe pick?

Woo: I think that's fair to say. I think Carter is a really, really good player. I think he is probably a little undervalued in terms of what people are saying about him. He doesn't have a lot of holes in his game. Just a very solid player. It depends on how Dallas feels. If you're saying Carter or Bamba, I think Carter is the less risky player. I think Bamba has more upside if you view the defensive contributions as a major, major sticking point. I think Carter will have a very long NBA career. I think a lot of scouts feel really good about him just as a guy that you can put at center, and he's going to be that guy for you and give you a lot of good things for a while.

Duke freshman big Wendell Carter likely doesn't get the attention he deserves for the type of season he's having. The 6-10, 18-year-old PF/C is averaging 20.7 PTS, 13.8 REBS, 3.0 AST, 3.1 BLKS and 1.1 STL per 40 while shooting 59.1% from 2 and 48.6% from 3. Checks a lot of boxes. pic.twitter.com/OX0xpjalK6 — Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) March 4, 2018

What do you think is the best case scenario for the Mavs at 5? Bamba or someone else?

Woo: I think Bamba would be great. I think Jackson would also be great. I think the best case is one of those guys falls to them. It will likely happen. Bagley could, too. Any of those three guys. I don't know what I think is the best, best fit. It just depends on what the team values. If you feel like offense is the need I think Bagley would be great. Bagley is probably the more NBA ready player of the three.

Is there a worst case scenario for the Mavs at five?

Woo: I don't think so. They're going to get one of those guys. As long as they stay at five someone is going to fall to them. If I'm Dallas, I'm OK when any of those players.