Should the Dallas Mavericks Trade the No. 1 Pick?

The odds were against the Mavericks winning the NBA Draft Lottery, but they did. Now the question is: keep the pick (Cooper Flagg) or explore trade offers?

A Huge Opportunity

What is the Dallas Mavericks’ No. 1 pick worth? Odds weren’t in favor of the Mavs leapfrogging the lower-seed teams to be the ping-pong ball of choice (about 1.8 percent), but here they are. The second time Dallas is on the clock at No. 1 (see DePaul’s Mark Aguirre in 1981).

However, whether Dallas keeps that selection (see Duke’s Cooper Flagg) or solicits offers around the league is one of the bigger non-playoff storylines around the league at the time of this writing. Having finished at 39-43 in NBA games last season, Dallas didn’t exactly bottom-feed, earning the play-in tournament’s final berth.

While the Mavs whipped the Sacramento Kings on the road, they lost to the Memphis Grizzlies to end their season (ironically, both games had identical scores of 120-106).

So, here we are, with a scenario few predicted. Dallas is on the clock ahead of the late-June draft in Brooklyn, but is it? With the consensus Player of the Year, Duke’s Cooper Flagg, listed at 1-200 (-20000) to be that pick, is he off to the metroplex?

Here’s a bit of a primer on the Dallas Mavericks, Cooper Flagg, and the No. 1 pick in the draft…

H3: Why Do the Dallas Mavericks Have the No. 1  Pick?

As was mentioned, the Dallas Mavericks had no shot of winning the NBA’s draft lottery, as in less than two percent. However, they did, winning a coin flip with the Chicago Bulls (at No. 11), vaulting over those lesser lights and prevailing. Those who invest in traditional lotteries should be so fortunate. NBA rumors seem to be torn between Dallas keeping the first pick or dangling it around the league and seeing how hard other teams bite.

As was mentioned (there’s that phrase again), everyone and their mother has Duke’s 6-foot-9 Mane native Cooper Flagg atop the board. The ‘one-and-done’ Duke Blue Devil forward averaged 19.2 points, 7½ rebounds and 4.2 assists last season, also a force on defense.

Despite losing in the Final Four to a late-rallying Houston Cougar team. Flagg was the consensus Player of the Year, and the presumptive first overall choice in the NBA draft if/when he declared.

Dallas is now deciding if Flagg is indeed the Mavericks’ No. 1 pick, or if he's off to another city?

It’s not common to get a potential franchise player on a rookie-esque salary, so there’s that.

Does BetUS Offer Constant Updates on NBA Games Betting Lines?  

Indeed. Though the Dallas Mavericks did not advance past the play-in round of the NBA playoffs, lines and props wagers are continuing with each game on the NBA schedule. The Oklahoma City Thunder are minus-money (-105, to be exact) favorites to win what would be the franchise’s first title since leaving Seattle before the 2008-09 season.

Do your homework before tackling NBA games odds.

Any Final Thoughts?

NBA Finals appear to be going through Oklahoma City this season, as the team with the league’s best (68-14) record in the regular season was (probably) on the way to the Western Conference finals (leading the Denver Nuggets, 3-2). While there’s intrigue on the floor, the off-court sidebar of the Dallas Mavericks and the No. 1 pick in their pocket figures to continue, 

Dallas had a record of just 13-20 after Luka Doncic’s trade to the Los Angeles Lakers, so not good. Expect any number of new players next season, with oft-injured Anthony Davis (20.1 points, 10.1 rebounds in nine games with Dallas) probably moving back into the pivot.