What if the Dallas Mavericks Win the NBA Draft Lottery?

What if the Dallas Mavericks strike gold on May 16th and win the NBA Draft Lottery? What options would they have with the pick?

The Dallas Mavericks currently have the 9th best odds to land the top overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Although the odds of them staying at the 9th spot in the draft are high, it’s not impossible for them to find luck on lottery night.

Back in 2008, the Chicago Bulls moved up from the 9th spot on lottery night to land the top pick where they selected Derrick Rose with the first overall pick. Just a few years ago, the 2014 Cleveland Cavaliers moved up from the 9th spot also to land the top pick where they selected Andrew Wiggins.

So the odds are not in favor, but it’s not impossible.

Let’s imagine the ping-pong balls bounced in Dallas’ favor and they landed the top overall pick in the draft. Then what? What options will they explore with the pick?

Option One: Select a Player

The top, and most likely option would be to select the top player on the Mavericks draft board.

With the Mavericks current point guard situation moving forward, you would assume that Markelle Fultz or Lonzo Ball would be at the top of the board. Fultz would be the better offensive player while Ball is known more for his playmaking ability. Either one would be a MAJOR piece to the puzzle moving forward in Dallas.

There would also be the small chance of Dallas going with Josh Jackson also. The wing player out of Kansas is a versatile defender with a growing offensive game that would compliment Harrison Barnes well on the wing.

Option Two: Explore a Trade

If there was a summer where a top pick could land you a big star in a trade, it is the summer of 2017.

Heading up to the trade deadline in February, the hottest names on the market were Jimmy Butler and Paul George. Now, after both of their teams were put out of the playoffs, Butler and George will be the topic of the summer as one or both of them could be on the move.

Could Dallas make an enticing offer to one of the respected teams for either player?

Would a package centered around the first overall pick, Seth Curry, and other pieces be enough to land Paul George or Jimmy Butler? What about Kristaps Porzingis?

Although this would be a long shot, expect Dallas to explore all avenues if they did land the top pick.

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Option Three: Trade Down

If Dallas is looking towards the future, the idea of trading down to acquire more assets might be appealing.

What if a team like Philly lands two picks inside the top five and would rather have Markelle Fultz instead of two more younger players? Then Dallas could still get a point guard and possible a top wing prospect in the deal also.

What if a team like Orlando or Minnesota is willing to package young players such as Aaron Gordon or Zach LaVine with their pick to move up to grab the top overall pick? Would it be worth it for Dallas?

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The odds of Dallas being in this position are slim, but if they did, their options will be plenty in a loaded draft class.