Trying to lock in their first-round pick for the upcoming draft could be expensive for the Dallas Mavericks. As reported by the NBA, an investigation has been launched into the Texas organization’s decision to leave out several key players in Friday night’s 115-112 loss to the Chicago Bulls, which eliminated them from the fight. for him play-in in the Western Conference, while bringing them closer to keeping a draft pick. This is what the League statement says.
“The NBA today began an investigation into the facts and circumstances surrounding the Dallas Mavericks’ roster decisions, as well as the conduct in connection with last night’s Chicago Bulls-Dallas Mavericks game, including the motivations behind those actions,” it said. NBA spokesman Mike Bass.
To be exact, the Mavs owe the Knicks a first-round pick (protected top-10) for the trade of Kristaps Porzingis. With that in mind, they entered the game against Chicago tied with them for the 10th worst record in the competition. Those of Texas knew it and after losing against those of Illinois, resting Kyrie Irving, Tim Hardaway Jr., Josh Green, Maxi Kleber and Christian Wood, their head coach, Jason Kidd, described it as an “organizational decision.”
“We were fighting for our lives and understanding that this was the situation we were in, but the organization made the decision to change. So, you know, we have to follow that guideline,” admitted the coach, who also made Luka Doncic play for only 13 minutes.
Cuban’s words
While the Mavericks owner has yet to comment on this investigation, he did say Wednesday night that he understands what fans think that protecting the position heading into the lottery is Dallas’ smartest strategy in the game. final stretch, noting then: «The boys do not want to do that. The players are not going to do that. Players don’t do that”, about letting themselves lose.
In case the NBA punishes the team, it would not be the first time. Already in 2018 Cuban had to pay a fine of 600,000 euros for publicly admitting that they were doing tanking.
(Photograph by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
