Good things come to those who try.
Faced with overwhelming injury and adversity all season, Coach Jason Kidd’s Dallas Mavericks fought hard through a tough season to make the NBA’s Play-In Tournament. Although they ultimately did not make the final eight teams to enter the postseason, they did position themselves for a ticket in the NBA’s draft lottery. On Monday, that ticket, holding a 1.8 percent chance to win, paid dividends as Dallas won the Draft Lottery for the first time in franchise history.
Jason told Dan Patrick that he wasn’t able to watch to watch the lottery live, and when his phone started to buzz with calls and texts about the Mavericks earning the top pick, he thought he was being pranked.
“Things just weren’t going well for us,” Jason said of his decision to miss the lottery. “I just felt, you know, we were going to stay around 11, if not go backwards, just the way the things were going for us this year. But incredible to get number one. Everyone’s excited. The organization, the city, the Mavs fans, and also the head coach. We’re really excited about being number one.”
The Mavs will now have their choice of the best draft-eligible players in the world, a group notably headlined by Duke forward Cooper Flagg.
Jason was keeping his cards close to his vest during his appearance on Patrick’s show so when the host asked directly about Flagg, Jason wouldn’t mention the top prospect by name, but did admit he was the player Dallas has honed in on.
“I’m just the coach, so I would say we’re focused on number one. The draft is deep, but the name you just brought up I think is the one we’re all focused on.”
Later in the interview, Jason did talk a little about “the kid at Duke” and what he brings to the table and how he would fit into the Mavericks roster.
“He’s young but he’s very talented, can play both ends,” Jason said. “Being able to have older players—and when I say that, out of respect, they’re not dinosaurs—but when you look at the age of 30 —— Ky, AD, guys that are here, Klay —— could definitely help him with the process of going through a rookie season.”
In Dallas, Flagg also wouldn’t have the pressure of going into a situation where he’s the main guy and everything revolves around him, which Jason believes could be beneficial.
“I think this is a great situation for him,” Kidd said. “When you talk about the other clubs, he would have to produce right away at a high, high level. Here, the pressure of living up to number one will be a lot easier with the talent around him.”
But that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t have to produce. The Mavs are still just one year removed from a trip to the NBA Finals and are driven by a MFFL fanbase that is hungry to taste glory for the first time since 2011.
“We are playing for a championship,” J-Kidd said. “This isn’t about just rebuilding. He’s going to have help.”