Dallas Mavericks will have the 18th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft

After falling to the Suns on Thursday afternoon, the Dallas Mavericks (43-32) will officially be drafting 18th in the 2020 NBA Draft. Though there are still other games to be played in the NBA season, no team can fall below the .573 win percentage with any additional losses. Dallas also has the 31st pick (the first of the second round) as a result of a trade with the Golden State Warriors.

Though the Mavericks are playoff-bound for the first time in years, this pick is important. As a result of the trade which acquired Kristaps Porzingis, the Mavericks won’t have their first round pick in 2021 or 2023. The inability to add cost-controlled talent through the draft can make team building more challenging. When we consider that the salary cap may decrease for the first time in recent memory as a result of both the Coronavirus pandemic and the NBA’s brief, but significant, dispute with China in 2019, it’s important that the Mavericks made good use of the draft capital they have. Given the talent of Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis, it’s unlikely the Mavericks will have a draft pick of their own this high for many years to come.

Though this draft is considered relatively weak at the top of the draft, particularly compared to the two most recent drafts and the 2021 draft, there’s still a great deal of talent which could add depth to a competitive roster.

At Mavs Moneyball, we’ve yet to dip into draft coverage, largely because we’re relishing covering the team as it stands right now. That said, it’s always fun to consider the future. Two months out, it seems there are a variety of prospects the Mavericks should consider: TCU’s Desmond Bane, Saddiq Bey, Aleksej Pokusevski, Josh Green... the opinions and hopes and dreams should be varied.

Look forward to that coverage later on in the post season.