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NBA Draft Lottery 2017: Who each team should take with the No. 1 pick

By John Buhler

Jan 14, 2017; Stanford, CA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) gets the rebound against the Stanford Cardinal in the first half at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2017; Stanford, CA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) gets the rebound against the Stanford Cardinal in the first half at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 19, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Josh Jackson (11) goes up for a shot during the second half against the Michigan State Spartans in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Kansas defeated Michigan State 90-70. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Josh Jackson (11) goes up for a shot during the second half against the Michigan State Spartans in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Kansas defeated Michigan State 90-70. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Dallas Mavericks: Josh Jackson, small forward, Kansas Jayhawks (1.7 percent)

The Dallas Mavericks have only a 1.7 percent chance of getting the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery, but they could be a team that could use that improbable pick as leverage for trade.

While Dallas could still use a Markelle Fultz or a Lonzo Ball at point guard, Yogi Ferrell has been interesting for the Mavericks as a rookie. The Mavericks could look for a veteran point guard in free agency. We should probably expect them to stabilize their roster out on the wing.

Ideally, Kansas Jayhawks forward Josh Jackson would be a player that could work two through four for head coach Rick Carlisle. Yes, the Mavericks have Harrison Barnes at the three/stretch four, but an NBA team can never have enough wings, especially a guy like Jackson with tremendous upside.

An ideal trade partner for Dallas should they garner the No. 1 overall pick would be the Philadelphia 76ers. Philadelphia has more ammunition than any team in this draft. If 76ers general manager Bryan Colangelo is adamant about getting a point guard at No. 1, the Mavericks could trade down, still grab Jackson around No. 5, maybe pick up a future first-round pick and any player not named Jahlil Okafor or Ben Simmons.

The Sacramento Kings could be a potential trade partner for the Mavericks. Sacramento could have two first-round picks this June: their own and the New Orleans’ Pelicans. Can the Kings technically trade a pick that is below the 76ers’ to help move up to No. 1 without having to do the pick swap? Probably not, that’s the type of drama this NBA Draft 100 percent needs on June 22.

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