NBA Draft: Every team’s best all-time selection in the lottery

Best NBA Draft Lottery pick: Dallas Mavericks, Jason Kidd

As mentioned, players that were not picked by their respective teams during the NBA Draft would not be considered for this list. Thus, Dirk Nowitzki is not deemed as the Mavericks’ all-time best lottery selection since he was picked by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 9th pick in the 1998 NBA Draft and then later trade to Dallas.

For a team that has not had much success in selecting franchise-altering players with their lottery picks, this inevitably leaves Jason Kidd as the Mavericks clear top all-time lottery selection.

After being picked by the Mavericks with the second pick over in the 1994 NBA Draft, Kidd wound up spending his first two and a half seasons with Dallas. He immediately adjusted to the pace of the league and improved as the seasons went by. The point guard showcased his play as a scoring and playmaking talent even from his rookie season as he had several standout performances, such as a 30-point triple-double against the Houston Rockets.

While Kidd later went on to establish his Hall of Fame career during his time with the Phoenix Suns and New Jersey Nets, he did make a return to Dallas during the 2007-2008 season via a trade. Kidd was on the backend of his prime during his second run with the team but to his credit, he played a key role in the Mavericks’ 2011 NBA title-winning run.

Kidd’s best days in the NBA were not while with the Mavericks, but he still had that will in him to remain being a competitive point guard on both ends of the floor during his time there.

Jason Kidd Dallas Mavericks stats and accomplishments

• 500 games, 10.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 8.4 assists
• 3X All-Star, 2011 NBA Champion