Dallas Mavericks: Three Things to Watch for in Draft Lottery

Today is the day! The Dallas Mavericks will know which pick they have in the draft tonight at 6:30 central time. Knowing it can’t fall out of the top 6, what are three things to look forward to tonight?

The NBA Draft Lottery is one of the most unique sporting events across the board. With the constant attempt to prevent tanking in the NBA (an attempt that has failed miserably up to this point), the Dallas Mavericks find themselves in an opportunity where they could be picking anywhere from number 1 to number 6.

This is one of the highest spots Dallas has had since the early years of the modern draft lottery. After a great 20-year run from the Mavs, courtesy of Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas is back at the bottom and looking for another player to bring them back to the top. Here are just a few things to watch out for tonight.

#3. The Third Pick

The Dallas Mavericks have never selected third overall in NBA Draft history. With the lottery tonight, the Dallas Mavericks have the third best odds to take the first overall pick, or rather, they have the best chance to get the third overall pick. This would be something the Mavs have never done before and is the only pick in the top 9 that Dallas has never selected at.

The most recent NBA third overall picks are: Jayson Tatum (2017), Jaylen Brown (2016), Jahlil Okafor (yikes), and Joel Embiid (2014). Michael Jordan (1984), James Harden (2009), Al Horford (2007), Pau Gasol (2001), and Dominique Wilkins (1982) were all third overall picks as well.

INDIANAPOLIS – FEBRUARY 4: Michael Finley #4 of the Dallas Mavericks talks to assistant coach Avery Johnson during the game against the Indiana Pacers on February 4, 2005 at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 95-94. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2005 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /

#2. The Representatives

Last year, the Dallas Mavericks sent Michael Finley, an assistant Vice President for the team, along with Neil Herskowitz, Mavs longtime equipment manager. Although the Mavs ended at the 9th pick as expected, they landed Dennis Smith Jr. in the draft who will now be a major cornerstone to the team going forward.

Dallas will send the same representatives this year in hopes of getting lucky for another year. Maybe this year’s luck will land with the lotto balls?

#1. The Odds

The Dallas Mavericks and Atlanta Hawks tied for the third-worst record in the league this year at 24-58. Only the Phoenix Suns (21-61) and the Memphis Grizzlies (22-60) had worse records than Dallas. In a coin-toss to see who gains the tiebreaker advantage between Atlanta and Dallas, the Mavs won, although the lottery odds did not change very much.

Dallas has the third best chance to receive the top overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. The Suns odds are 25% chance, the Grizzlies are 19.9% and the Mavs are 13.8%. The Hawks are just a hair back at 13.7% chance.

The Mavs also have the percentage calculated for a top 3 pick at 42.6%. The Hawks have the same likelihood. The Suns have a 64.2% chance at top 3, while the Grizzlies have a 55.8% chance.

Other teams in the lottery in order of likelihood to gain the top overall pick are: Orlando Magic (8.8%), Chicago Bulls (5.3%), Sacramento Kings (5.3%), Cleveland Cavaliers (2.8%), New York Knicks (1.7%), Philadelphia 76ers (1.1%), Charlotte Hornets (0.8%), Detroit Pistons (0.7%), Los Angeles Clippers (0.6%), and Denver Nuggets (0.5%).

Next: The Best "Top Six" Draft Picks in Mavs History

The NBA Draft Lottery will be tonight at 6:30 central time. It will be available to watch on ESPN. Tune in with us tomorrow morning for the first mock draft after the draft order is officially set.