Mavericks' Anti Knicks Tanking Gambit Lands $750,000 Fine

The New York Knicks go into a playoff weekend with a bit of a last laugh, as the Dallas Mavericks were penalized for resting players in an effort to keep their valuable draft pick in Texas.

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The Dallas Mavericks' metaphorical middle finger to the New York Knicks may go down as one of the most expensive in the history of the gesture.

The NBA announced on Friday that the Mavericks would be assessed a $750,000 fine for "conduct detrimental to the league" in their penultimate game of the season. In an apparent effort to keep their first-round draft pick at the upcoming NBA Draft, the Mavericks eschewed a chance to partake in the Western Conference Play-In Tournament and rested several major players against the Chicago Bulls on Apr. 7. 

“The Dallas Mavericks’ decision to restrict key players from fully participating in an elimination game last Friday against Chicago undermined the integrity of our sport," NBA Executive Vice President Joe Dumars said in a statement from the Association. "The Mavericks’ actions failed our fans and our league.”

Many saw the shutdown (headlined by Kyrie Irving and the partial participation of Luka Dončić who did appear in the second half) away from the Knicks. If Dallas' pick lands outside of the top 10, it would transfer to the Knicks as the last part of the Kristaps Porzingis trade from 2019. New York appeared to be on the mind of Mark Cuban as they worked through the final week of the season, as the Mavericks owner blamed Jalen Brunson's "parents" (father/Knicks assistant coach Rick and godfather/Knicks president Leon Rose) for not giving a chance at bringing back the lauded point guard after a breakout postseason.

The subsequent 115-112 loss to Chicago eliminated the Mavericks from postseason contention. When a potential equalizing buzzer-beater fell short, Cuban could hardly contain his apparent glee. They repeated the gambit against the equally doomed San Antonio Spurs two days later, finishing the disappointing follow-up to a Western Conference Finals appearance with a 38-42 record.

🙋‍♂️🗣️:
Is this relief or dismay on Mark Cuban's face❓
Watch Mark Cuban's reaction as the Mavericks miss the game-tying shot, thus eliminating themselves from playoff contention. pic.twitter.com/82hMhLMBOv

— 9Deep Hoopers (@9deephoopers) April 8, 2023

Dallas still holds the 10th-best odds at the upcoming draft lottery, which gives them a nearly two-thirds chance at a top 10 choice that doesn't transfer to New York. Four teams (Oklahoma City, Chicago, Toronto, and New Orleans) stand behind them with an opportunity to leap into the top three. 

The situation continues to be a bit of a breeze for the Knicks: they still have two more years for the pick to transfer (after which it would become a second-rounder) and have a playoff series with the Cleveland Cavaliers to prepare for. The festivities get underway on Saturday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse (6 p.m. ET, ESPN). 

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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