Dallas Mavericks NBA Draft Lottery luck: What history says about odds of moving up

Dallas Mavericks, Luka Doncic
Dallas Mavericks, Luka Doncic | Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
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The Dallas Mavericks anxiously await the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery on May 16 because it will be one of the most important evenings in franchise history. The Mavs just missed the playoffs with Luka Doncic putting up MVP numbers. They must improve their roster around him, and Dallas needs a top-ten pick to accomplish that goal. The Mavericks had the tenth-worst record in the league this season, and they owe their first-round pick to the Knicks if it falls outside the top ten.

If the Mavs lose their first-round pick and Kyrie Irving this offseason, the franchises fears of Luka Doncic requesting a trade could become reality. Teams are already circling, and the Mavericks must avoid their doomsday scenario.

The NBA Draft Lottery is always a franchise-altering night. This year, the winning team gets the right to draft Victor Wembanyama, who is the most hyped prospect since LeBron James. All 14 organizations are anxiously awaiting May 16, but what can history tell us about what will happen?

Dallas Mavericks NBA Draft Lottery history

The Mavs have been in the NBA Draft Lottery 15 times since it began in 1985, and they have never moved up. Here is a breakout of what happened each time.

1986: Owned Cavaliers picked which slipped from 3rd to 7th in the lottery

1989: Stayed 8th

1990: Slipped from 8th to 9th in lottery

1991: Stayed 6th

1992: Slipped from 3rd to 4th in lottery

1993: Slipped from 1st to 4th in lottery

1994: Slipped from 1st to 2nd in lottery

1995: Stayed 12th

1996: Stayed 6th and 9th after lottery

1998: Stayed 6th

2000: Stayed 12th

2013: Stayed 13th

2017: Stayed 9th

2018: Slipped from 3rd to 5th

2019: Slipped from 9th to 10th

It is worth noting that the Mavericks would have been able to draft Luka Doncic outright in 2018 if they had not dropped in the lottery. Instead, Dallas had to give their 2019 first-round pick to the Hawks to trade up to acquire him.

They have one of the worst NBA Draft Lottery histories in the league, but how does that impact their chances in 2023?

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