Dallas Mavericks Win NBA Draft Lottery, Poised to Select Cooper Flagg

The Dallas Mavericks defied the odds, winning the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery on Monday night and securing the No. 1 overall pick in June’s draft. This victory positions them to potentially select Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg, widely considered the top prospect in the draft class.

A Stunning Upset

Entering the lottery with only a 1.8% chance – the fourth-lowest odds for a lottery winner in NBA history – the Mavericks’ win was a significant upset. NBC News reported the improbable outcome, highlighting the team’s unexpected fortune.

Draft Order: Top Five Picks

The top five picks in the 2025 NBA Draft are now set as follows:

• 1. Dallas Mavericks
• 2. San Antonio Spurs
• 3. Philadelphia 76ers
• 4. Charlotte Hornets
• 5. Utah Jazz

The Luka Doncic Trade and Rebuilding

This draft win comes after a tumultuous season for the Mavericks, marked by the controversial trade of franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in February. NBC Sports Bay Area detailed the trade, which saw Dallas acquire Anthony Davis and other pieces in return. Despite the acquisition, the Mavericks finished the season with a 39-43 record and were eliminated in the play-in tournament.

Cooper Flagg: The Projected No. 1 Pick

Cooper Flagg, a 6’9″ forward from Duke, has been widely projected as the No. 1 overall pick. He averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game during his single season with the Blue Devils. NBC News notes Flagg’s impressive performance in previous competitions, including being named to the All-Tournament Team for the 2022 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup and participating in the USA Select Team ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Potential Mavericks Core

The Mavericks now have the opportunity to build a core around Flagg, alongside Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving. However, Irving will be recovering from a torn ACL suffered in March, adding a challenge to the team’s immediate future. NBC News reported on Irving’s injury and its impact on the team.

Fan Reaction

The Mavericks’ lottery win has generated significant reaction from NBA fans, with many expressing surprise and questioning the fairness of the lottery process. NBC Sports Boston compiled reactions on social media, with many using the hashtag “#rigged.”