Los Angeles (USA), Apr 14 (EFE) better players not to win, being eliminated from the ‘play-in’ and thus qualify for a higher position in the draft.
“The Mavericks violated the league’s player rest policy and demonstrated through their actions and public statements the organization’s desire to forfeit the game to improve their chances of retaining their first-round pick in the 2023 draft.” the NBA said in a statement.
“The league did not find that the players who participated in the game did not play to win,” he added.
With only two games on their calendar and with few options to reach the play-in, the Mavericks did not count on April 7 against the Bulls with key players from their squad such as Kyrie Irving, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Christian Wood.
In addition, Luka Doncic, their great star, only played in the first quarter and in the first seconds of the second period.
The Texan franchise ended up losing 112-115 to the Bulls and was thus automatically eliminated from the title playoffs, allowing it to aspire to a higher pick in the draft.
However, the NBA announced shortly after that it had opened an investigation to analyze the attitude of the team led in the offices by owner Mark Cuban and on the bench by coach Jason Kidd.
Joe Dumars, the NBA’s executive vice president and chief basketball operations officer, said in announcing the Dallas fine that the Mavericks’ decision “undermined the integrity” of the league.
“The Mavericks’ actions failed our fans and our league,” he added.
