As we approach the final stretch of the NBA season, the Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans, and Memphis Grizzlies find themselves eyeing the 2026 NBA Draft with keen interest. These teams are currently neck-and-neck, separated by just a single game, with Memphis holding a slight edge over Dallas and New Orleans. Let’s dive into where each team stands, how the draft impacts their strategies, and what their game plans should be as the season winds down.
With the season wrapping up on April 12, the Mavericks, Pelicans, and Grizzlies are all jostling for position in the draft lottery. The team finishing with the worst record will have a 34.8% chance of landing a top-four pick, including an 8.3% shot at the coveted number one overall. The stakes are high, and every game counts as these teams navigate their final matchups.
Dallas Mavericks (23-46)
The Mavericks are hoping for a repeat of last year’s draft success when they snagged Cooper Flagg, a game-changing talent. This draft is crucial for Dallas, as it’s their last chance to own their pick until 2031.
After parting ways with Anthony Davis, the Mavs shifted their focus entirely to the draft. Injuries have plagued the team, and with Kyrie Irving sidelined for the rest of the season, the focus is clear: develop Flagg and aim for another top pick.
Dallas faces a challenging schedule with nine of their remaining 13 games against teams with winning records. This tough lineup should aid their quest to secure a high draft position.
The strategy is straightforward: let Flagg shine while naturally embracing the losses that come with this grueling schedule. The goal?
Find a co-star to pair with Flagg and accelerate the rebuild.
New Orleans Pelicans (23-46)
For the Pelicans, the situation is different. Their draft pick belongs to the Atlanta Hawks, so tanking isn’t in their playbook.
Despite a rough start to the season, New Orleans has shown resilience, going 15-15 in their last 30 games. With a promising young core featuring Trey Murphy III, Jeremiah Fears, Yves Missi, Derik Queen, and Zion Williamson, the Pelicans are focused on building momentum.
Injuries have been a hurdle, particularly for Dejounte Murray, who returned from an Achilles injury. But with a mix of youthful talent and seasoned veterans like Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey, the Pelicans are poised to keep improving. Their schedule includes 10 games against teams above .500, but the focus is on winning and developing their roster for future success.
Memphis Grizzlies (23-44)
The Grizzlies have had a rough ride since their peak as the second seed in the West in 2023. Off-court issues with Ja Morant and a series of injuries have derailed their season.
The trade deadline saw them part ways with Jaren Jackson Jr., signaling a shift towards rebuilding. With their own draft pick in hand, Memphis is looking to optimize their position.
Memphis’s remaining schedule is the toughest in the league, with 12 of 15 games against winning teams. This challenging stretch is an opportunity to secure a top draft pick and add talent to their young roster, which includes promising players like Jaylen Wells and Zach Edey. The focus is on building a new core and setting the stage for future success.
The Final Stretch
As the season concludes, the Pelicans are likely to finish with the 8th spot in the draft due to their recent form. Meanwhile, the Mavericks and Grizzlies, both facing tough schedules, are incentivized to tank for better odds. While Memphis has more home games, Dallas’s road-heavy finish could influence the draft standings.
In this high-stakes race, every percentage point in the lottery odds matters. Both Dallas and Memphis are eager to turn the page and rebuild with the talent-rich 2026 draft as their springboard.