The Dallas Mavericks have pulled off one of the most improbable lottery wins in NBA history. Entering the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery with just a 1.8% chance to land the No. 1 overall pick, Dallas defied the odds and secured the top selection—marking a franchise-altering moment for a team looking to rebuild after a turbulent season.
The Mavericks’ lottery win comes just 99 days after trading Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers, a move that sent shockwaves through the NBA. While the trade left many questioning the team’s direction, Monday night’s lottery results have reignited optimism among Dallas fans.
With the first pick, the Mavericks are now in position to draft Duke’s Cooper Flagg, the consensus top prospect in the 2025 class. Flagg, a 6-foot-9 forward, is widely regarded as a franchise-altering talent, possessing elite two-way potential and the ability to impact the game immediately.
The San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers and Charlotte Hornets complete the lottery’s top 4, with the first two also getting very lucky considering their odds.
Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards, who entered the night with the best odds (14%), fell outside the top four—continuing a trend where the team with the best lottery odds fails to secure the No. 1 pick.
With the NBA Draft set for June 25-26, the Mavericks now hold the key to potentially selecting Cooper Flagg and reshaping their future. If they choose Flagg, he would join Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, forming a new-look core for Dallas heading into the 2025-26 season.
As you can expect, NBA Twitter went absolutely crazy, with many calling the lottery ‘rigged’, once again.
What if Adam Silver told the Mavericks if you trade Luka Doncic to the Lakers, we will give you Cooper Flagg in the draft
Posting this 20 minutes before the draft by the way. pic.twitter.com/Qi0evQZ7qD
— At The Buzzer (@AtTheBuzzer1) May 12, 2025
Adam Silver after forcing Luka to the Lakers to fix rating problems and then making up for it by giving the Mavericks Cooper Flagg pic.twitter.com/Mn4c5LBo5F
— ᴅ ʀ ᴇ ᴡ (@FeelLikeDrew) May 12, 2025
teams tanking just for the Mavericks to get the #1 pick pic.twitter.com/YE8WpwHOGs
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) May 12, 2025
Adam Silver since the ratings allegations
– Luka Doncic to the Lakers
– Cooper Flagg to Mavericks
– Pacers/Knicks Rivalry Back
– Playoff Physicality Back
– Multiple Playoff Classics
– NBA on NBCChills man
— Old NBA Tweets (@oldnbatweetz) May 13, 2025
I’m not a big conspiracy theorist but it seems awfully convenient that the Mavericks traded Luka to the NBA’s biggest market and then got Cooper Flagg in return months later, despite having just a 1.8% chance to land the number one pick.
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) May 12, 2025
The NBA draft lottery is so rigged… The spurs can now flip the #2 pick to the Bucks for Giannis… The Mavericks get redemption for the Luka Trade lmao pic.twitter.com/7BWsji5FQj
— FlightMike (Mikerophone) (@TheFlightMike) May 12, 2025
So the Pelicans trade AD to the Lakers and then get the No. 1 pick.
Now, the Mavericks trade Luka to the Lakers… and then get the No. 1 pick.
🧐🧐🤔🤔
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) May 12, 2025
This PROVES the Luka Doncic trade was an INSIDE job by the NBA
– Forced the Mavericks to trade Luka Doncic so the Lakers had a future
– Mavericks get the 1st overall pick to build around their next franchise starINSIDE JOB LOL
— Joel Moran (@joelvmoran) May 12, 2025
The Dallas Mavericks are picking first overall
NBA Rigged? pic.twitter.com/wfzqVOJgJw
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) May 12, 2025
So you’re telling me Adam Silver gave The Mavericks Cooper Flagg by a coincidence after he traded Luka Doncic
Most rigged draft lottery in NBA history pic.twitter.com/rkuDnM4tCU
— Russ’ TD ⚡ (@RussFcb) May 12, 2025
Nico Harrison when people begin to piece together what the Dallas Mavericks roster will look like next year. pic.twitter.com/LoeB1lxHha
— Sports Troller (@SportsTrollerX) May 12, 2025
