Dallas Mavericks: NBA Draft order and lottery odds

Dallas Mavericks Luka Doncic Jalen Brunson Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
Dallas Mavericks Luka Doncic Jalen Brunson Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Dallas Mavericks lost a tiebreaker on April 12 that locked in the draft order and odds heading into the NBA Draft lottery on May 14.

Dallas Mavericks fans know that May 14 will be an important night. That is the evening of the NBA Draft lottery. The Mavs will be looking to retain their first-round pick. It is top-five protected, or it heads to Atlanta as part of the 2018 draft night trade for Luka Doncic.

The regular season was complete, but that final order was not set until April 12.

The Mavericks finished the season with a 33-49 mark. The Pelicans and Grizzlies had identical records meaning the NBA had a random drawing to see which team selected seventh and eighth. The loser finished with the ninth overall pick. Bobby Karalla fills fans in on the results of that tiebreaker.

Chances of keeping the choice

The Dallas Mavericks can only select one through four now. Those will be the only four positions drawn on May 14. Dallas has a six percent chance at the first overall pick. The Mavericks also have 26.2 percent odds of selecting in the top four and retaining their pick.

For fans wondering their chances at each pick, Bobby Karalla breaks it down here.

It is a fantastic spot for the Mavs to be in. They either move up into the top four and get an elite prospect or the pick goes to Atlanta ending that obligation. Fans will be rooting for a lot of lottery luck on May 14.

Final thoughts

The Dallas Mavericks were slotted into the ninth and 37th overall picks in the 2019 NBA Draft after Friday’s tiebreakers. Without the lottery, the Mavs would have to send their first-round pick to the Hawks. Dallas has a 26.2 percent chance of keeping their selection on May 14.

Do not sleep on that 37th overall pick in the second round. The Mavs drafted Jalen Brunson in the round two last season. Dallas believed he was a first rounder, though. Brunson’s rookie performed gives the Mavericks optimism that he will be a rotation to piece for the next decade plus.

In the last five drafts, players such as Nikola Jokic, Spencer Dinwiddie, Josh Richardson, Jerami Grant, Thomas Bryant, Jordan Clarkson, and Dwight Powell have all been selected at pick 37 or later. There will be a valuable piece on the board when the Mavs pick in round two, but they will have to uncover that gem.

The Dallas Mavericks are priming up for a massive offseason. The team is aiming to push into contention around Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis. That means roster moves are on the horizon, so keep it locked in on The Smoking Cuban for all the latest.

Schedule