When is the 2023 NBA Draft lottery? Date, start time, location, how to watch

The Dallas Mavericks are nervously awaiting May 16 and the 2023 NBA Draft lottery. On that night, the franchise will find out if they are going to keep their first-round pick or owe it to the New York Knicks from the original Kristaps Porzingis trade in 2019.

Nobody expected Dallas to be here after reaching the conference finals in 2022, but Jalen Brunson’s departure went along with poor roster decisions, a lack of defense, and an epic late-season collapse forced the Mavericks to cling to the tenth pick. They tanked their last two games, which cost them a $750,000 fine, just to improve their odds.

The Dallas Mavericks desperately need the selection to improve their roster or larger problems could be on the horizon. Fans won’t want to miss the draft lottery, so here is a look at the particulars.

2023 NBA Draft lottery date, time, location, how to watch

Date: Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Location: Wintrust Arena in Chicago, IL

Start time: 7:30 p.m. CT or 8:30 p.m. ET

How to watch: ESPN or Watch ESPN app

How does the 2023 NBA Draft lottery work?

The NBA has a fantastic explainer for fans looking for all the details. In short, the league selects the top four picks using ping pong balls with the remaining teams being slotted fifth through 14 based on the inverse order of regular season record. The Pistons, who had the league’s worst regular season mark, cannot select lower than fifth overall.

Why 2023 NBA Draft lottery is so important for the Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks sit tenth with a top-ten protected pick in hand, meaning if one of the five below them jumps up, Dallas has to give their selection to the New York Knicks. Giving up the 11th pick would be a nightmare for the Mavs, and it could be just the start of an extremely bad offseason.

Odds Dallas Mavericks move up?

The Mavs have a 13.9 percent chance to move up into the top four and sit at three percent to get the number one overall pick. Fans will be dreaming of that three percent and a shot to draft Victor Wembanyama until the results are announced on May 16.

Odds Dallas Mavericks keep their first-round pick?

The Mavs have a 79.8 percent chance to keep their selection. 65.9 percent of the time they stay at tenth overall, which is by far the most likely scenario.

It will be a nervous night for the Dallas Mavericks, but it could turn into a joyous one. Fans certainly won’t want to miss a second of the drama, so be sure to tune in and enjoy the show.