Mavericks Aim to Improve Draft Position, But Faces Challenges

Dallas Mavericks look to secure a top draft pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, but face an uphill battle to move up in the standings.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 11:20pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Dallas Mavericks have entered the final month of the regular season with a chance to improve their position in the 2026 NBA Draft lottery. While they are not mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, their chances of making the postseason are slim. The Mavericks are currently tied for the sixth-worst record in the league, which gives them an 8.3% chance of landing the top pick and a 34.8% chance of a top-four selection. However, climbing higher in the standings will be a challenge, as they have the third-toughest remaining schedule and face stiff competition from teams like the Utah Jazz.

Why it matters

The 2026 NBA draft class is projected to be full of elite prospects, and the Mavericks could use a complementary star to pair with their promising rookie Cooper Flagg. Improving their draft position could give the team a chance to land a transformative player to build around alongside Flagg, who has exceeded expectations as one of the league's best rookies.

The details

The Mavericks are currently tied with the New Orleans Pelicans for the sixth-worst record in the league at 23-46. The Pelicans hold the tiebreaker, meaning the Mavericks will own the tiebreaker in the lottery standings if the teams finish with identical records. The team with the sixth-worst record has an 8.3% chance to land the top pick and a 34.8% chance to land a top-four pick. However, the Mavericks are 7.5 games behind Indiana for the worst record in the NBA and five full games behind Sacramento for the fourth-worst mark, making a top-four finish a tall task. A fifth-place finish would be more desirable, as that team has a 10.5% chance to land the No. 1 pick and a 42.1% chance to select in the top four.

  • The Mavericks have lost eight of their last 10 games, but two of their last four were victories, including an impressive one over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
  • The Mavericks have the third-most difficult schedule (54.2%) remaining with 13 games to play, including matchups against top playoff contenders such as San Antonio, Denver, and the Los Angeles Lakers.
  • The draft lottery will be held in Chicago on May 10, the night when the speculation about where the Mavericks land will end.

The players

Cooper Flagg

A promising rookie who has exceeded expectations as one of the NBA's best rookies in the last two decades and is the next face of the Mavericks' franchise.

Daniel Gafford

A big man who has missed the last three games, including two with an illness, and could return to the lineup for the Mavericks' upcoming game against the Atlanta Hawks.

Klay Thompson

A player who rested during the team's back-to-back in Cleveland and New Orleans and could return to the lineup for the Mavericks' upcoming game against the Atlanta Hawks.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The 2026 NBA draft class is projected to be full of elite prospects, with All-Star potential littered throughout the first 10 picks.”

— Mike Curtis, Author (dallasnews.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.