The Dallas Mavericks had the same chance of winning the NBA lottery as the Pelicans and Grizzlies by virtue of finishing with identical records. And in true Mavs fashion, they watched Tuesday as New Orleans and Memphis finished first and second.
Needing to finish in the top four to hold onto their pick, the Mavericks landed the 10th spot and conveyed the pick to Atlanta as part of the Luka Doncic trade. It’s still a trade you don’t think twice about given Doncic’s sensational rookie campaign, but that doesn’t wipe away the stench of another lottery failure.
In 16 trips to the lottery, the Mavs have now dropped spots seven times. They’ve tried just about everyone in the franchise other than Mavs Man, and nothing has worked. New CEO Cynthia Marshall took her turn representing the team in Chicago. She reportedly had all sorts of good-luck charms at her disposal, but the Mavs are a hopeless case. You’d like to blame the same Russians who allegedly bloodied Kristaps Porzingis in Latvia, but they couldn’t even get their beloved Knicks in the top two.
New Orleans winning the Zion Williamson lottery seemed like poetic justice after Anthony Davis and his handlers put the franchise in peril. Surely the late Tom Benson is dancing with his umbrella in Heaven. The team’s new executive vice-president of basketball operations, David Griffin, had a smug look on his face as he hugged the son of Dan Gilbert, the man who fired him in Cleveland. He told reporters he hopes Davis will choose to stay with the Pelicans, but various reports indicated the talented big man still wants to play for the Knicks.
The lottery always makes for awkward TV, and Tuesday was no exception. Williamson was seated next to two of his Duke teammates and likely No. 2 overall pick Ja Morant from Murray State. But those players barely received a mention. To his credit, Williamson seemed genuinely embarrassed by all the attention. There were reports Pels coach Alvin Gentry shouted an expletive and danced around the room when his team received the No. 1 pick. He’d been the poor sap who had to constantly answer questions about Davis’ attempt to force a trade, so it was understandable he might blow off some steam.
If the Pelicans and Grizzlies had simply stayed somewhat close to their lottery positions (7 and 8), Mavs fans wouldn’t have felt so miserable. But it’s pretty discouraging to have this type of streak. Cuban and GM Donnie Nelson will likely talk about the huge drop in talent after Zion, and how they don’t envy the Grizzlies as much as one might think. Please recognize this for the b.s. it represents. Having a top-four pick in any draft is a major asset. This idea that had been floated about the Mavericks conveying a top-four pick had they not landed Zion was ludicrous.
Seeing the Pelicans and Grizzlies move up several spots was a huge win for Adam Silver and the NBA. The league has been looking for ways to prevent tanking, and this sort of outcome may do the trick. The Knicks barely put an NBA product on the floor this season, but that open embrace of tanking only landed them the No. 3 pick. It was a delight to see Knicks great Patrick Ewing representing his old team. If only former commissioner David Stern had been in attendance to bring one of the NBA’s most enduring conspiracy theories full circle.
In one night, the New Orleans Pelicans became the envy of the NBA world. Williamson is the most transcendent talent we’ve seen since LeBron James. And he’ll be obligated to play in the Crescent City for at least a few years. It would be hilarious if Davis decided to stay, but I wouldn’t bet on it.
The only sure bet in the NBA lottery is the Mavs falling flat on their faces.
