Mavs More Likely To Keep Pick Than Trade It For Vet

The Mavericks are more likely to keep their lottery pick than to trade it in a deal for a more established NBA player, a source tells Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News. While the draft lottery could have an effect on where that pick ultimately lands, there’s an 80%+ chance that Dallas will have the No. 9 overall selection next month.

As Sefko explains, the Mavs began their youth movement in earnest this past season, and the team now feels that it makes more sense to continue in that direction by taking a player who may not make an immediate impact on the court. Having finished with a 33-49 record in 2016/17, the Mavs aren’t just one player away, and aren’t likely to land a star by trading the No. 9 pick anyway.

With that approach in mind, the Mavs’ front office has been well represented at this week’s draft combine in Chicago, with Sefko suggesting that GM Donnie Nelson and head coach Rick Carlisle are heading a “small army” of Dallas execs at the event. According to Sefko, Nelson and a couple other staffers will be moving on to Europe this weekend in order to scout point guard prospect Frank Ntilikina, among others.

Dallas has only missed the playoffs twice since the turn of the century and has traded several first-round picks over the years, so this year’s draft will provide a rare opportunity for the franchise. Assuming the Mavs don’t slip multiple spots in the lottery on Tuesday, this will be the first time in nearly 20 years that they’ll have a top-10 draft pick. The club last made a top-10 selection in 1998, drafting Robert Traylor sixth overall.