We’ve become accustomed to ruling out any draft picks by the Mavericks before they even step on the court. That’s been the history of the Mark Cuban Mavericks — youth is for others.
The draft was designed as a tool to promote parity in sports. But it’s been a tool left in the toolbox by the Mavericks. The Cuban Mavericks have subscribed to the philosophy that you build a contender with veteran players through free agency and trades.
Which explains why the Mavericks haven’t developed a draft pick into a contributing member of a contending team in 13 years.