The Dallas Mavericks pulled off a monumental upset on Monday night, winning the 2025 NBA draft lottery with a shockingly low 1.8% chance. This improbable victory catapulted them ten spots up the draft order, securing the coveted number one pick and the chance to draft highly touted prospect Cooper Flagg. This stunning turn of events comes just months after the controversial trade of Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, a move that left many fans disheartened.
The Mavericks’ win marks the biggest jump in lottery history, according to ESPN Research. Rolando Blackman, representing the Mavericks, expressed the team’s excitement, stating that this pick is a crucial step in moving the franchise forward after a challenging year. The franchise is looking to leverage this opportunity to rebuild and return to contention.
The number one pick is widely expected to be Cooper Flagg, the exceptional 6-foot-9 forward from Duke. Flagg had a phenomenal freshman season, winning numerous national player of the year awards and leading the Blue Devils to a Final Four appearance. His impressive stats (19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists) firmly cemented his status as a top draft prospect.
Following the Mavericks, the San Antonio Spurs, with their impressive rookie duo of Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle, secured the second pick. The Philadelphia 76ers and Charlotte Hornets will pick third and fourth, respectively. Other teams with high lottery picks include New Orleans (seventh), Brooklyn (eighth), Toronto (ninth), Houston (tenth), Portland (eleventh), Chicago (twelfth), Atlanta (thirteenth), and San Antonio (fourteenth).
This year’s lottery follows a recent trend of unexpected outcomes. Last year, the Atlanta Hawks defied the odds with a 3% chance win. The Mavericks’ victory only adds to the excitement and unpredictability surrounding the NBA draft.
With the first pick secured, the Mavericks will now focus their attention on the remaining prospects. Among those expected to be drafted after Flagg are Rutgers’ Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, both of whom have impressive college careers and are attracting significant attention from NBA scouts. Other notable players vying for a high draft position include VJ Edgecombe (Baylor), Tre Johnson (Texas), Jeremiah Fears (Oklahoma), and Khaman Maluach (Duke). The 2025 NBA draft promises to be one of the most exciting in recent years, and the Mavericks’ unexpected win has added another layer of intrigue to the proceedings.
The draft is set for June 25th, and the world will be watching to see how the Mavericks use this incredible opportunity to shape their future.
