The Dallas Mavericks basketball club will have the first pick in this year's NBA draft, as decided by the drawing of the balls in Chicago tonight.
The Mavericks, who were eliminated in the second game of the playoffs this season, won the NBA draft lottery and thus came into possession of the first pick in this year's draft, despite having only a 1,8 percent chance of succeeding.
"I'm so happy for the Mavericks fans. I'm amazed at how much emotion and connection the fans have with this team. I can't imagine a better day for Mavericks fans after what happened today. It's going to be very special," said Mavericks CEO Rick Welch.
Dallas will thus have a chance to select 18-year-old Cooper Flagg, who is widely predicted to be the first pick in this year's draft.
"I don't know who we're going to choose, but if we choose him, I think he's already accomplished a lot in his career. Every time he's been put in a situation where everyone wondered if he would succeed, he's succeeded convincingly," Welch said.
In his only college season, Flagg led Duke University to the Final Four of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament and was named the Most Valuable College Player.
The American winger averaged 19,2 points, 7,5 rebounds and 4,2 assists that season. He shot 48 percent from the field, 39 percent from three-point range and 84 percent from free throws.
"I didn't want to think too much about the lottery result, it was out of my control," said Fleg.
The second pick in this year's NBA draft will go to San Antonio, which also has the 14th pick. The Spurs had the fourth pick in last year's draft, which they used to select this season's Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle, while in 2023 they selected Victor Wembanyama as the first pick.
Philadelphia will have the third pick in the upcoming draft.
"The draft is very strong at the top, especially in the first three picks, so we're very excited," said Philadelphia president Daryl Morey.
The worst records in the NBA this season were held by Utah (17/65) and Washington (18/64). The Salt Lake City club will have the fifth pick, while the Wizards will select sixth in the order.
The draft lottery has determined the order of the first 14 picks in the upcoming draft, and they are:
1. Frequency
2. Saint Anthony
3. Philadelphia
4. Charlotte
5 million
6. Washington
7. New Orleans
8. Brooklyn
9. Toronto
10. Houston
11.Portland
12. Chicago
13.Atlanta
14. Saint Anthony
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