Fansided

NBA Draft Lottery 2018: Winners and losers

By Ian Levy

SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 11: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings wears the Oscar Robertson Triple- Double Award belonging to Garrett Temple #17 prior to the game against the Houston Rockets on April 11, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 11: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings wears the Oscar Robertson Triple- Double Award belonging to Garrett Temple #17 prior to the game against the Houston Rockets on April 11, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 1: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks watches from the bench during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on April 1, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Mavericks 98-87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dirk Nowitzki
CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 1: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks watches from the bench during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on April 1, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Mavericks 98-87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dirk Nowitzki /

Loser: Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks were in much the same position as the Grizzlies, hoping that health, a few savvy offseason moves and a top-3 pick could help catapult their core back into the playoffs next season. Sliding down two slots puts a major crimp in those plans. In the range they’ve fallen to, Dallas would seemingly be locked into lower-upside, more NBA-ready contributors like Mikal Bridges or higher-upside projects like Mo Bamba. Having Dennis Smith Jr. on the roster probably knocks Collin Sexton and Trae Young out, which limits things even further.

The Mavericks chances of climbing back to relevancy before Dirk Nowitzki retires took another blow. It might be savvy for them to continue to take the long view in building their roster, but it won’t make those emotional decisions any easier.

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