Can the Mavs defy lottery odds again? Discover if Dallas can land another franchise-altering talent to complement Cooper Flagg's rise.
DALLAS - A year ago, the Dallas Mavs beat the NBA Lottery odds in the biggest way possible, with the ping-pong balls landing in just such a way as to cause No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg to land in Big D.
Can it happen again?
The 2025-26 NBA regular season is done, and "Organic Tanking'' was a huge part of it.
And now, after 82 games - in Dallas featuring top Rookie of the Year candidate Flagg - we have the lotto results, the 2026 NBA Draft lottery odds that could allow the Mavs to again strike gold.
The top prospects this year, like AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer, could do what Flagg is in the process of doing ... that is to say, turning a franchise around.
And if Flagg could get some help from some more ping-pong balls? The Dallas turnaround could be a speedy one.
For now, the lottery teams and their odds (a random drawing later will break ties).
1. Washington Wizards (17-65)
14 percent
2. Indiana Pacers (19-63)
14 percent
3. Brooklyn Nets (20-62)
14 percent
4. Utah Jazz (22-60)
11.5 percent
4. Sacramento Kings (22-60)
11.5 percent
6. Memphis Grizzlies (25-57)
9 percent
7. Dallas Mavericks (26-56)
6.8 percent
7. Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans Pelicans) (26-56)
6.8 percent
9. Chicago Bulls (31-51)
4.5 percent
10. Milwaukee Bucks (32-50)
3 percent
11. Golden State Warriors (37-45)
2 percent
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Los Angeles Clippers) (42-40)
1.5 percent
13. Miami Heat (43-39)
1 percent
14. Charlotte Hornets (44-38)
0.5 percent
So Dallas has a 6.8-percent chance at the No. 1 slot ... and a 29-percent chance at a top-four pick - meaning the Mavs will once again be crossing their collective fingers with the final NBA Draft order coming after the lottery on May 10.
The Mavericks do not control their own first-round pick again until 2031, so they need to nail this pick, as they will get their shot when the NBA Draft commences this summer.