The Dallas Mavericks won the NBA draft lottery and will pick first in the league’s draft on June 25.
The Mavs completed one of the most shocking trades in NBA history in February sending its best player, 26 year old Luka Doncic, to the Los Angeles Lakers for a package that included center Anthony Davis.
Mavs general manager Nico Harrison, who kept the trade under wraps for months, claimed it was a “win now” move.
Harrison also publicly attacked the fitness level and commitment of Doncic.
Fans chanted “Fire Nico” during Mavs home games, most notably when Doncic was at the free throw line during the Lakers only visit to Dallas after the trade.
Injuries to Davis, who missed several games injury, and Mavs star guard Kyrie Irving, who tore his ACL in March, short circuited Dallas’ season.
The team failed to clinch a playoff seed following a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in the league’s play in tournament and fell into the lottery.
Dallas now has a chance to select Duke superstar Cooper Flagg, the presumptive top pick in this year’s draft.
Flagg, who was the national player of the year and led Duke to the Final Four, is perhaps the only true generational superstar and franchise cornerstone available in this year’s draft.
“I am so happy for Mavericks fans,” Dallas CEO Rick Welts said, after winning the lottery. “We broke the internet [with the Doncic trade]. I am just amazed at the depth of emotion and connection that the fan base has with this team. And what happened today, I can’t imagine a better day for Mavs fans. It’s going to really be something special. I can’t wait to get back to Dallas.”
The San Antonio Spurs have the second pick in the draft and are looking to build on a foundation that includes the past two league Rookies of the Year, Victor Wembamyama and Stephon Castle.
The draft order for the first round is as follows:
- Dallas Mavericks
- San Antonio Spurs
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Charlotte Hornets
- Utah Jazz
- Washington Wizards
- New Orleans Pelicans
- Brooklyn Nets
- Toronto Raptors
- Houston Rockets
- Portland Trailblazers
- Chicago Bulls
- Atlanta Hawks
- San Antonio Spurs
- Oklahoma City Thunder (from Miami Heat)
- Orlando Magic
- Minnesota Timberwolves (from Detroit Pistons)
- Washington Wizards (from Memphis Grizzlies)
- Brooklyn Nets (from Milwaukee Bucks)
- Miami Heat (from Golden State Warriors)
- Utah Jazz (from Minnesota Timberwolves)
- Atlanta Hawks (from Los Angeles Lakers)
- Indiana Pacers
- Oklahoma City Thunder (from Los Angeles Clippers)
- Orlando Magic (from Denver Nuggets)
- Brooklyn Nets (from New York Knicks)
- Brooklyn Nets (from Houston Rockets)
- Boston Celtics
- Phoenix Suns (from Cleveland Cavaliers)
- Los Angeles Clippers (from Oklahoma City Thunder)
