Did Mavs really prioritize NBA Draft pick over Play-in by sitting key players? / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: AFP-Scanpix Credit AFP-Scanpix

Recently, the Dallas Mavericks have been caught up in controversy following their decision to rest key players during a match against the Chicago Bulls, raising concerns over whether the team deliberately forfeited the game to enhance their chances in the NBA draft lottery.

In this article, we will explore the reasons behind the Mavericks' decision to rest their players, the outcome of their action, the NBA's concerns about tanking, and why the upcoming NBA Draft lottery is crucial for the Mavericks.

Why did the Mavericks rest their key players?

The Mavericks held out their top-performing players, citing reasons such as injury recovery, soreness, and rest.

The team's decision was seen as a strategic effort to prioritize their long-term ambitions over short-term needs.

Bookmakers such as https://www.bovada.lv/sports/basketball/nba predicted the Dallas-based franchise had a slim chance of securing a play-in spot in the Western Conference, even with a win in that particular game.

On the other hand, the Mavs had nothing to lose since they knew their faith was already determined, so testing their bench strength was a reasonable move. Their bench did not disappoint the team as they faced the charging Bulls team with all their unused, blazing guns.

Jason Kidd Luka DoncicCredit AP-Scanpix

Did the Mavericks really prioritize Draft Lottery Over Play-In Tournament?

The Mavericks' decision to rest key players like Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving against the Chicago Bulls resulted in a loss and a nonsensical outburst from their fans, barring them from progressing further throughout the post-season playoffs.

However, elimination was already on the cards for the team. After their close encounter defeat against the Bulls, 112-115, the Mavericks can count on their bench strength while having more options to improve it as, after losing the game, they are now seeded eleventh in the Western Conference.

Having been seeded so low in the table increases the chance of the Dallas team picking up players early in the draft. So, the NBA now accuses the team of losing the game against Chicago intentionally!

The NBA launched an inquiry into their decision, raising concerns over whether the Mavericks favored securing a higher NBA draft lottery spot over advancing in the play-in tournament.

The focus of this inquiry centered on the potential strategic effort made by the Mavericks to purposely forfeit their game as a means of enhancing their chances in the draft lottery.

Why did the NBA consider this action as tanking?

The NBA has been concerned about teams engaging in "tanking," a practice in which they deliberately lose games to improve their draft position.

The Mavericks' decision to rest their key players raised suspicions of tanking, which could damage the integrity of the game and affect the league's revenue.

Accusations regarding tanking have previously plagued the Mavericks' reputation, as owner Mark Cuban incurred a $600k fine in recognition of his inflammatory remarks on tanking during Julius Erving's podcast back in 2018.

Mark CubanCredit USA Today Sports – Scanpix

Yet, whether the allegations are proven to be true or not, the Mavericks and their owners did not learn the necessary lesson and are continuing their practice of "tanking," something that is not only ruining their reputation as a team but also making other teams suffer with fewer options to pick the necessary player from the all-important NBA Draft Lottery.

Why is the upcoming NBA Draft Lottery for Mavs more important than Play-In Tournament?

The upcoming NBA Draft lottery is crucial for the Mavericks, as it will grant them access to high-level talent, which is much needed for the team's future prospects.

With an enhanced draft position resulting from victory at this year's NBA draft lottery, the Mavericks will have a better chance of securing top-performing players.

Currently, the team only has a 4.5 percent chance of success, making the upcoming NBA draft lottery essential for the Mavericks. Moreover, with talented players coming into the team, the face of the Dallas team can change for the better!

However, even with great players, team cohesion and teamwork are essential for the Mavericks. Dallas cannot deny their team's strength, which has been proven time and time again.

Even in the game against the Chicago Bulls, despite resting a key player, the Mavericks managed to hold on their own, and surprisingly enough, they had control over the game in the first two quarters.

In the third and fourth quarters, the game shifted toward the Bulls, who outshone the Mavericks with their incredible comeback.

So, the Dallas Mavericks already have quite a strong team, and even with the opportunity to pick first in the NBA Draft Lottery, it will only bring massive changes with players who can motivate the team to work hard together rather than a "one-man show" from players like Luka Doncic.

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