What the Mavericks did on Friday was make a decision that gives them the best chance of protecting a valuable asset

They switched gears and sat six key players, including Kyrie Irving and Luka Doni, for nearly three quarters.

The bottom line is that a top-10 draft pick is worth more than a long-shot try in the play-in tournament and an even longer-shot try if they could have made the playoffs.

If they want to win championships, they must do everything in their power to keep that draft pick.

It’s no different than protecting a star player when they’re injured. You do whatever it takes.

The Mavericks were eliminated from postseason play after falling to the Chicago Bulls 115-112 on Friday.

Before the game, the team announced that Irving was one of five key players who would sit out against the Bulls, while Doni was benched after one quarter and one possession in the second quarter on “I Feel Slovenia Night” at American Airlines Center.

Coach Jason Kidd said it was a “organizational decision” to shift gears and focus on the franchise’s future rather than putting everything on an Oklahoma City loss to Memphis on Sunday, which would have been required (along with two Mavericks wins) to get into the play-in tournament.

“It’s not so much waving the white flag,” Kidd said after the game. “Decisions in this business can be difficult at times. And you have to make difficult decisions, and we’re trying to build a championship team, and sometimes you have to step back.

“We trust (governor Mark) Cuban and Nico (Harrison, general manager) to put the pieces together to put us in a position to win a championship, and we’re just getting started.”

This is not the first time this has happened, nor will it be the last.

Before Friday’s game, Kidd outlined how Doni’s desire to play until there was no hope of making the playoffs had to change to do whatever the Mavericks could to protect their first-round draft pick, which remains theirs only if it is in the top 10. Missing the playoffs obviously helps that goal.

“Things change,” Kidd said prior to the game. “We still have to be professionals and go out there and put our best foot forward with who can play.” We were fighting for our lives and were aware of the situation we were in.

“However, the organization has made the decision to change, and we must follow that.” That’s just something that happens. We discussed it this afternoon, and the players will go out and try to win. You must be experts. You cannot cheat the game. So, those who are playing are out there to win, and we’ll take it from there.”

The Mavericks’ decision was made on Friday, but it had its roots much earlier. Consider all of the bad losses they suffered to teams they felt they should have beaten in November, December, and January.

Or consider their eight losses in their last ten games in the last three weeks.

In addition to Irving (right foot), Tim Hardaway Jr. (left ankle), Maxi Kleber (right hamstring), Josh Green (rest), and Christian Wood were all ruled out on Friday (rest).

Luka’s availability stems not only from the large number of Slovenians present at the game, but also from his desire to play.

“He wanted to play,” Kidd said before the game. “With that in mind, we discussed the minutes, especially with the other guys who aren’t playing.” That’s how we came to an agreement. He wanted to play. In that first run, his minutes will be normal. He’s finished there.”

This is a significant departure from Doni’s statement on Tuesday, when he stated, “When there’s still a chance, I’m going to play.”

On Friday, Kidd stated, “We all said that.” We want to have the opportunity to find a way in, and we want to play until we are told otherwise. And today is the day we’ve been told to do something different. He’ll play in the first quarter and then be done for the season.”

“Things change quickly here. He’ll play this quarter, and then we’ll see where we stand heading into Sunday, but he’ll most likely be out.”

The Mavericks entered Friday’s game in 11th place in the Western Conference. Teams finishing seventh through tenth place qualify for the play-in tournament. Oklahoma City has one more game against Memphis on Sunday, but that game is now meaningless.

The loss on Friday put an end to any potential drama on Sunday.

The Mavericks have been disappointed with the direction the season has taken since acquiring Irving before the February trade deadline. They entered Friday’s game with a 9-16 record since Irving’s debut against the Los Angeles Clippers on Feb. 8.

They also believe they have the talent to do some damage in the playoffs if they could have gotten there. Last year, they hit a hot streak at the right time and advanced to the Western Conference finals.

This year, there will be no such run.

Kidd stated that changes will occur, as they do every offseason.

It will simply begin much sooner than the Mavericks had hoped.