The Dallas Mavericks pulled off the near-impossible on Monday night when they won the NBA Draft Lottery on a 1.8% chance. They jumped all the way up from 11th, becoming the team with the lowest odds to win the lottery since the NBA changed the lottery odds in 2019.

Baylor product VJ Edgecombe, who made an impression at the 2024 Olympics, edges out Harper’s Rutgers teammate Ace Bailey on points at No. 3, and the decision seems to hinge on that pair — either Edgecombe or Bailey claims 8 of 10 No. 3 slots and all 10 at No. 4.

We think of the NBA Draft Lottery, first and foremost, as a way for the league's poor and downtrodden franchises to replenish their ranks and take the first steps toward meaningful winning years down the line.