Dallas Mavericks drop to fifth pick in NBA Draft

The Dallas Mavericks will pick fifth in the NBA draft after the league held its annual draft lottery Tuesday evening in Chicago.

The Mavs had a 13.8 percent chance of earning the top pick, but dropped two spots. Most draft experts expect the top pick to be 7-foot-1 forward DeAndre Ayton from the University of Arizona. The Mavs were represented by former player and executive Michael Finley.

The Phoenix Suns, who had the best chance at earning the top pick (25 percent), will pick first.

Memphis had the second best odds at the top pick at 19.9 percent. The Atlanta Hawks were just behind the Mavs at 13.7 percent.

The Mavs last picked this high in 1994 when they drafted Jason Kidd with the No. 2 overall pick.

Dallas selected guard Dennis Smith Jr. with the 9th overall pick a year ago.

Among the draft prospects likely to be be drafted in the top five picks, along with Ayton, are Duke forward Marvin Bagley III, Michigan State forward Jaren Jackson Jr., Texas center Mo Bamba and Slovenian guard Luka Doncic.

"I can see myself being speechless," Bamba said of the draft on ESPN, minutes before the lottery was aired. The draft is scheduled for June 21.

Mavs lottery history

This story was originally published May 15, 2018 at 7:24 PM with the headline "Dallas Mavericks drop to fifth pick in NBA Draft."