Missing the playoffs has repercussions for the Dallas Mavericks. The NBA said it was investigating the circumstances surrounding the Mavericks’ 112-115 loss to the Chicago Bulls the day before.
League spokesman Mike Bass said in a statement that he was “investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding the Dallas Mavericks’ roster decisions and behavior at the game against Chicago, including the rationale for those actions.”
Although Dallas was still up for a play-in spot in the playoffs, the Mavs lost a number of regulars, including star player Kyrie Irving and international Maxi Kleber, in the game against Chicago.
Superstar Luka Doncic started, but was then no longer used in the course of the game. Coach Jason Kidd spoke openly before and after the game of a decision “made by the organisation”.
NBA: Tanking at the Dallas Mavericks?
With the season ending early, the Mavericks improved their chances and position in the annual draft for the most promising prospects.
If Dallas gets one of the first ten draft picks, they can keep him, but from position eleven they have to give him up to the New York Knicks as a result of the transfer of Kristaps Porzingis in 2019.
The principle of improving your chances in the draft by losing is called tanking. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban was fined $600,000 five years ago after publicly admitting to tanking.