2017 NBA Draft: How Markelle Fultz would impact every lottery team
By Max Holm
Dallas Mavericks – 1.7% Chance of Winning Lottery
Given Sacramento cannot even keep the No. 1 pick, we’re officially in the part of the lottery that would defy all the odds.
The Dallas Mavericks got younger and better on defense with the summer signing of Harrison Barnes and a trade for Nerlens Noel. Those two combined with Wesley Matthews is a pretty decent core group. What they truly lack is a lead guard. They may get that if they stay at No. 9, but winning the lottery would suddenly turn Dallas into a dominant young team.
Fultz would likely not take over full lead guard duties immediately, allowing him to assimilate into the league better. He would also get to play for one of the league’s best and most creative coaches in Rick Carlisle. It’s one thing for Fultz to join a core like Philadelphia or Minnesota, but it’s even more valuable to get a coach like Carlisle.
Even with Fultz, Dallas might not to be able to make the playoffs next year. However, Barnes is just 25 in May, and Noel only just turned 23. Dallas would be a team on the come-up with the best years ahead for all of these three core guys.