Should the Dallas Mavericks Trade Their First Rounder?
Nov 27, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Justin Anderson (1) dribbles the ball around New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Brown (21) during the second half at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeat the Pelicans 91-81. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The Dallas Mavericks finally ended their losing streak against the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday. Even with the win, the Mavs are 3-13 on the year. Can Dallas entice a buyer that will strengthen the team this year and the future?
When it comes to lottery picks, teams all over the NBA are generally ready to jump the gun to buy. First round draft picks are valuable for every team, whether they are making the picks or trading them for more useful pieces.
The Dallas Mavericks are no different as they have used their draft picks in a number of different ways in the past. Most of those ways have included a variety of trades that have either panned out or not so much. We have also been active on draft day with trades happening often.
When the Mavericks came into this season, most people did not see the first round pick as a huge source of excitement. Even with the solid draft class coming after this season, the expectation that the Mavs would miss the lottery was there.
Now, seeing the Mavs less than stellar record of 3-13, the draft lottery looks more likely than ever. With that likelihood comes a chance at something big, whether it be a future star or a possible established one.
Essentially, there are two directions the Mavericks can take with this first round pick. As of right now, it is completely unpredictable how the Mavs will finish the season. Everyone has lottery in their eyes but there are still lots of games to be played. So, do we keep it? Or should we sell while the price is high?
Oct 8, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Devin Harris warms up before a game with the Milwaukee Bucks at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Keep the Pick
Obviously with the Dallas Mavericks draft history, most fans are going to want to hold on to the upcoming first round pick. This makes a lot of sense, especially considering where we are sitting in the current standings.
Personally, I am on board with keeping the pick. Looking at this year’s draft class, even if we come in around the bottom part of the lottery, we still have a chance of getting a future star in this first round. That would be great for the future of the team and to help out Harrison Barnes.
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We have had a few first round picks that have done well in the league, usually for other teams. Jae Crowder, Devin Harris, and Justin Anderson have all been either high picks for the Mavs or picks the Mavs traded for.
There is a downside to hanging on to the pick for now, however. Mark Cuban has made it very clear that we have no intentions of even considering a tanking possibility. For more information on that, click here.
With that in mind, the Mavs are going to try to fight out of this slump. If the team is successful in that attempt, the draft pick not only loses value come draft day, it also loses a lot of value in the trade market.
Is it more beneficial to hold out and see where we end up? Or should we bite the bullet early in hopes for greener pastures this season?
Oct 28, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban walks on to the court before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Trade the Pick
In the Mavs history, this has been our go to move over and over. Whenever someone with a well known name comes along, the Mavs are quick to pounce and the trading piece that seems to be included every time is that first round pick.
In the past, it made a lot of sense for Dallas to trade their picks many times. As a recurring playoff team year after year, the Mavs found ways to bring veteran after veteran to the team to push us back into the playoffs.
This year is obviously looking a little different. Normally, the Mavericks are sitting on a team that appears to be only one or two pieces away from a deep run. This time around, the Mavs have no idea what is going on because it is such unfamiliar territory.
The problem with seeing the record after 16 games and panicking our way to the draft is that there are still 66 games to be played in the regular season. I have believed and continue to believe that this is a playoff caliber team when healthy.
If the Mavericks can get their health back and keep it, we become a dangerous team going forward. The record will still look the same to trading investors though and the price may be high for the pick.
I don’t personally think that there is really a right and wrong answer here, just two schools of thought. So which do you pick if you are GM/Owner? Do you keep the pick in case we fall apart? Or trade away in hopes of getting better by the end of the season?
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