The Dallas Mavericks could use some lottery luck this month, especially after one of the most turbulent seasons in franchise history.
They’re hoping four-time All-Star Rolando Blackman helps the ping pong balls fall in their favor as he represents the Mavericks onstage in Chicago for the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery on May 12.
Each team usually sends two representatives, one behind the scenes for the drawing and a second who appears on ESPN’s television broadcast as the results are revealed.
Dallas selected Blackman in the 1981 draft with the ninth overall pick. He played 11 seasons and averaged 19.2 points per game with the franchise, which retired his No. 22 jersey in 2000.
“Rolando was a natural choice for this role at the lottery due to his impactful leadership for the franchise through the decades, both on and off the court,” the team said in a prepared statement.
It’s not uncommon for someone in Blackman’s position to receive this honor. Teams have sent general managers, coaches and owners to the annual draft lottery, which coincides with the NBA Combine. Players and children of owners have also been selected as representatives in recent history.
Dallas sent general manager Nico Harrison to be the on-stage representative in 2023, while assistant general manager Michael Finley served as the delegate for the lottery drawing. The Mavericks had a 65.9% chance to keep the No. 10 pick, which came to fruition. The pick was used to acquire center Dereck Lively II in a draft-night trade with Oklahoma City, which received Dallas native Cason Wallace.
Finley was the team’s on-stage representative in 2017 and 2018 – the draft that changed the franchise’s fortunes when it traded the fifth pick to acquire the third, Luka Doncic.
Former CEO Cynt Marshall was the on-stage representative in 2019, when the Mavericks had the original position of No. 9. However, the team slid to 10th and the pick was forfeited to Atlanta, which selected Cam Reddish at that spot.
Dallas is one of four teams, along with the Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat and Utah Jazz, that have never moved up from their original position in the draft lottery. In 1993 and 1994, after posting the worst records in team history, Dallas had the best odds of receiving the No. 1 pick, but instead watched Orlando and Milwaukee leapfrog to the top spot. The Mavericks drafted Jamal Mashburn second in 1993 and head coach Jason Kidd fourth in 1994.
Victor Wembanyama, the most coveted prospect the last time the Mavericks were in the lottery in 2023, landed in San Antonio. This year, Duke freshman Cooper Flagg is most likely to hear commissioner Adam Silver call his name first.
Utah, Washington and Charlotte share a 14% chance of winning this year’s lottery.
Dallas (39-43) won a tiebreaker with the Bulls and has a 1.8% chance of earning the top pick this season.
The NBA Draft Lottery will air on ESPN at 5:30 p.m. or 6 p.m. CT (depending on the schedule of playoff games that day). The first round of the NBA Draft will be held June 25, and the second round will take place June 26.
X/Twitter: @MikeACurtis2
Find more Mavericks coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
