Raise your hand if you were ecstatic that the Dallas Mavericks selected 9th in this year’s stacked draft.
After all, many moons and offseasons have passed since this last occurred. Dallas last picked in the top-10 in 1998, drafting Robert “Tractor” Traylor 6th (U. of Michigan).
On one hand, you can say the Mavs’ success (1 losing season since 2000-01) has afforded them the luxury of not necessarily needing the draft. However, it’s no secret that the front office hasn’t exactly been a proponent of building through the draft. Showing limited faith in young talent, drafting is seen as inconsequential.