Dallas Mavericks' 2026 NBA draft lottery odds to be determined by coin flip

The NBA will soon decide the seventh- and eighth-best odds in the lottery between the Mavericks and Pelicans.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:08pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a basketball game, with the court and players broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes, conveying the tension and uncertainty of the upcoming draft lottery coin flip.A cubist interpretation of the high-stakes coin flip that will decide the Mavericks' and Pelicans' lottery positioning for the 2026 NBA draft.Dallas Today

The Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans finished the 2025-26 NBA regular season with identical 26-56 records, tying them for the seventh-best odds in the upcoming draft lottery. The NBA will hold a coin flip on Monday to determine which team will receive the seventh-best lottery odds and which will get the eighth-best. This could have significant implications, as the seventh position offers a 6.8% chance at the No. 1 overall pick compared to 6.7% for the eighth spot.

Why it matters

The outcome of the coin flip could be crucial for the Mavericks and Pelicans, as a higher lottery position can greatly improve a team's chances of landing a top draft pick. This is especially important for the Mavericks, who jumped up to the No. 1 overall pick in last year's lottery after winning a similar coin flip against the Chicago Bulls.

The details

The NBA will hold the coin flip on Monday to decide the seventh- and eighth-best lottery odds between the Mavericks and Pelicans. The Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings will also have their lottery position determined by a coin flip, deciding the fourth- and fifth-best odds. Solidifying the seventh position offers a team a 6.8% chance at the No. 1 overall pick and a 29.3% chance at a top-four pick, compared to 6.7% and 29% for the eighth position.

  • The NBA is expected to do the coin flip on Monday, April 15, 2026.
  • The NBA draft lottery will be held in Chicago on May 10, 2026.
  • The 2026 NBA draft will take place June 23-24 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

The players

Dallas Mavericks

An NBA team based in Dallas, Texas.

New Orleans Pelicans

An NBA team based in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Utah Jazz

An NBA team based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Sacramento Kings

An NBA team based in Sacramento, California.

Cooper Flagg

A candidate for the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year award, who was selected by the Dallas Mavericks with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft.

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What’s next

The NBA is expected to hold the coin flip on Monday, April 15, 2026 to determine the seventh- and eighth-best odds in the 2026 NBA draft lottery. The results of this coin flip could have significant implications for the Mavericks and Pelicans as they look to improve their rosters through the draft.

The takeaway

The outcome of the coin flip between the Mavericks and Pelicans will be crucial in determining their chances of landing a top draft pick in the 2026 NBA draft. This highlights the importance of small differences in lottery positioning and how a simple coin toss can have a major impact on a team's future.