For Mavericks governor Mark Cuban, the $750,000 might have been worth it. If not for keeping the No. 10 pick, at least for the “house money” joke on Twitter after the NBA draft lottery was revealed Tuesday night.
Dallas avoided having to send its first-round NBA draft pick to the New York Knicks, much to the chagrin of some on social media. The Mavericks rested players and lost the final two games of the regular season, resulting in a fine for violating the league’s anti-tanking rules.
The Mavericks finished with the 10th-worst record (38-44) — and a 79.8% chance at a top-10 draft pick.
Dallas would’ve sent its pick at No. 11 or below to the Knicks as final payment for the original Kristaps Porzingis trade in January 2019 if one of the four organizations below the Mavericks in the 14-team lottery standings jumped ahead of them in the top-four ping-pong ball drawings.
Here’s what people are saying about the Mavericks and Cuban’s move:
Mark Cuban with the trade of the year… $750k for the number ten pick in the 2023 NBA draft
— Cody Mallory (@RealCodyMallory) May 17, 2023
League really let Mark Cuban spit in their face. Embarrassing.
— your favorite dad (@malcolmpyeung) May 17, 2023
The Dallas Mavericks have had 15 lottery picks and NEVER moved up in the lottery.
They have moved down SIX TIMES.
Meanwhile, the Spurs have moved up 5 times in 6 chances. 😐
— Mavs Network (@MavsNetwork) May 17, 2023
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