The Dallas Mavericks are preparing for tonight’s NBA Draft Lottery with a slim chance of securing a top-four pick.
The NBA Draft Lottery, scheduled for tonight at 6 p.m. CT in Chicago, will determine the top four picks through a randomized drawing of numbered ping-pong balls.
Dallas finished the regular season with a 39–43 record, ranking 13th among the 14 lottery teams, meaning the team’s best chance lies in securing the 11th overall pick, with a 77.6% probability, according to Sports Illustrated.
Each team eligible to move up in the NBA Draft Lottery is represented by a team ambassador, with the Mavericks selecting former ninth-overall pick Rolando Blackman to represent the team during this event.
Dallas won a random drawing against the Chicago Bulls after the teams finished with the same record and were both eliminated from the postseason in the NBA Play-In Tournament. This means Dallas has slightly better odds of winning the lottery.
In total, the Mavericks can receive just six selections in the NBA Draft, including the 1st (1.8% chance), 2nd (2.0%), 3rd (2.2%), 4th (2.5%), 11th (77.6%), and 12th (13.5%).
The Mavericks’ odds place them among the league’s long shots, with the Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, and Charlotte Hornets each holding a 14% chance at the coveted No. 1 pick.
Historically, the Mavericks have been incredibly unlucky in the 17 NBA Draft Lottery drawings.
Dallas has been eligible to move up in the lottery 17 times since the team was founded in 1980, but it has never jumped up into the top group and has fallen back 12 times in those appearances, per Sports Illustrated.
Whichever team wins the lottery this season is widely expected to take Duke forward Cooper Flagg with the top overall selection, as he has been one of the most highly touted prospects to enter the draft over the last 20 years.
While the NBA Draft, scheduled for June 25, is still over one month away, Dallas must still address specific needs with whichever pick the franchise receives.
The most glaring need for this team heading into next season is at point guard. Following the injury sustained by guard Kyrie Irving, the team lacks a true playmaker.
Dallas will likely look to add a scoring guard who can make life easy for the team’s big men, meaning there are a few candidates to be taken by the Mavericks next month.
Potential selections by the Mavericks include Kasparas Jakucionis of Illinois, Jase Richardson of Michigan State, or Walter Clayton out of Florida.
Each of these three players projects to be a guard in the NBA and could add a good combination of the needs that Dallas has leading into next season.