RealGM

is the pick that we got from dallas a lottery protected pick? so like if they do miss the playoffs ( possibly cuz dirk is injured ) then is that good for us? or does it even matter?

Basically the Nets are owed the Mavericks 2008 and 2010 draft picks. The 2008 pick is lottery protected the 2010 pick is unprotected.

If the Mavericks miss the playoffs and are thus one of the 14 lottery teams they will keep their 2008 pick and the Nets will get the Mavericks 2009 and 2011 picks (you're not allowed to trade first round picks in two consecutive years).

Now supposedly, if the 2010 pick is pushed back to 2011 it is still unprotected and I'm assuming that the 2009 pick is unprotected or at worst minimally protected (top 3 maybe top 5)... I haven't been able to find any information on whether the 2009 pick is protected or not though...

To answer your question, the Mavericks missing the playoffs can be good or bad for the Nets. If the standings remain intact and the Mavericks make the playoffs this year, the Nets will get their pick which will probably end up being the 20th or 21st pick in the draft.

If the Mavericks miss the playoffs this year and keep their pick the question you have to ask is will the Mavericks get higher than the 21st pick next year? I think that's doubtful because although the West is getting better the Mavericks will be healthy next year, if they miss the playoffs they'll be adding a good young player to the mix, and they'll be using their MLE this offseason to solidify their bench.

Basically the Mavericks missing the playoffs this year only works to the Nets benefit if the Mavericks also miss the playoffs next year.

hm igh, good explanation

Rockets fan here
i was hoping Dallas missing the playoff but i don't want them to get a lottery pick

Damn, so we actually have to hope Dallas gets it together and hangs on to make the post season if we want to get any value out of that pick.

I'd rather we not make the playoffs and Dallas gets in, that way we'll have a lottery pick, our 2nd rder and a late 1st to work with in deals. Dirk going down was horrible because you have to expect Dallas to be a playoff team next year and the '09 pick won't be worth squat.