TRADE: Tyus Jones to DAL | Branham to CHA

[mvossman]

Isn't it likely that the Mavs are of the belief that not only do they have higher priorities than chasing all the losses they can attain, but also that they can't really make much of a diff anyhow, even with a random extra win here or there?

They won't make the play-in, so their limit is pick 10 on one end. They also have a really hard time "catching up" to any of those currently in the top 6, most of whom have a sizable gap difference, and that includes 2 teams (WAS, UT) who simply MUST land in the 1-6 range or lower or else they have a big risk to lose their pick. So I expect those in 1-6 will do what it takes to say in that 1-6 tier.

That means the Mavs are set to land in the 7-10 range (currently in 7) and I would suggest they may not be all that worried - at least for now - as to which of those it is. Maybe in the last week or 2 of the season they shift a bit, but I think they want to have the best play possible from a lot of backup-caliber players that are unlikely to win even if they are "unleashed".

The 10th spot has a 14% chance to land top 4 and the 7th spot has a 32% Chance.  You more than double your odds by landing 7th.  Considering how valuable it would be to get a top 4 pick, I think an extra almost 20% chance is worth a lot.  I don't know what the Mavs mindset is going to be, but there is a lot of value in continuing to lose right now.