Mavs Defy Odds: Grab No.1 Pick in NBA Lottery

• The Dallas Mavericks, with a 1.8% chance, claimed the No.1 pick in the NBA Draft
• The Mavericks jumped 10 spots in the draft order, the most in NBA draft history
• This is the first time the Mavericks have picked No.1 since 1981, where they chose Mark Aguirre from DePaul

In a stunning NBA Draft Lottery, the Dallas Mavericks have won the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery, securing the coveted first overall pick despite entering with a mere 1.8 per cent chance of success. The historic leap from the 11th position represents the largest jump in lottery history, delivering the franchise a golden opportunity to select Duke sensation Cooper Flagg this June.

The remarkable lottery triumph provides a much-needed boost for a Mavericks organisation still navigating the aftermath of February's controversial Luka Doncic trade to the Los Angeles Lakers—a move that sparked significant backlash from supporters.

Dallas Mavericks legend Rolando Blackman, who represented the team at the lottery, expressed his relief following the unexpected win. "For us, it's been a rough year as you all know," said the four-time NBA All-Star. "But the important part of the whole thing is that we'll get a chance to move our franchise forward."

Blackman emphasised the significance of this moment for the organisation's trajectory. "We have a tremendous staff and management. The important factor for us is being able to continue in that tradition and to move forward. It's really a great honour, and it's an important piece of the puzzle because we've been wanting hoop down in Dallas."

Complete Draft Order

1. Dallas Mavericks
2. San Antonio Spurs
3. Philadelphia 76ers
4. Charlotte Hornets
5. Utah Jazz
6. Washington Wizards
7. New Orleans Pelicans
8. Brooklyn Nets
9. Toronto Raptors
10. Houston Rockets
11. Portland Trail Blazers
12. Chicago Bulls
13. Atlanta Hawks
14. San Antonio Spurs (second pick)

The outcome delivered particularly disappointing results for the Utah Jazz (17-65), Washington Wizards (18-64), and Charlotte Hornets (19-63), who entered the lottery with the highest odds at 14 per cent each. Despite finishing with the league's worst record, Utah dropped to fifth, while Washington fell to sixth.

The San Antonio Spurs, fresh off back-to-back Rookie of the Year winners in Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle, landed the second overall selection, positioning them for another potential franchise cornerstone. Philadelphia secured the third pick, with Charlotte rounding out the top four.

Cooper Flagg: The Consensus Prize

For the Mavericks, winning the lottery presents a straightforward decision at the top of the draft. Cooper Flagg, the 6-foot-9 forward from Duke, has maintained his position as the consensus number one prospect since August 2023, when he announced his decision to reclassify and graduate high school a year early, entering college as a 17-year-old.

Despite enormous expectations placed upon his young shoulders, Flagg not only met but exceeded them during his lone collegiate season with the Blue Devils. The freshman phenom collected virtually every major national player of the year award while posting impressive averages of 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game.

His outstanding individual performance translated to team success as well, with Flagg leading Duke to a stellar 35-4 record and a Final Four appearance. His combination of size, skill, basketball IQ, and maturity beyond his years has cemented his status as the clear-cut top choice in the upcoming draft.

For Dallas, Flagg represents much more than just an elite prospect—he offers a new direction and potential cornerstone following the Doncic era. His versatile skillset and two-way impact could accelerate the Mavericks' rebuilding timeline significantly.

Recent Lottery Trends Continue

The Mavericks' stunning lottery victory continues a recent pattern of unexpected results at the top of the draft. Just last year, the Atlanta Hawks secured the first overall pick with only a 3 per cent chance, showing that even long odds can translate to lottery success.

This unpredictability adds an element of hope for lower-positioned teams entering future lotteries, knowing that dramatic leaps remain possible under the current system. For Dallas, the unlikely win provides an opportunity to reshape their roster around a potential generational talent in Flagg.

For Dallas, this unexpected lottery triumph arrives at a crucial juncture. Following the Doncic trade, the organisation faced legitimate questions about its direction and timeline for returning to contention. Securing the top pick—and with it, the opportunity to draft Flagg—potentially accelerates their rebuilding process significantly.

While no single draft pick can entirely replace a generational talent like Doncic, Flagg's arrival would provide Dallas with a foundational piece around whom they can construct their next competitive team. His defensive versatility, passing vision, and developing offensive game offer an enticing package of skills that translate well to the modern NBA.

The timing also aligns favourably with the Mavericks' current roster construction. With several young players already in the fold and additional assets acquired in the Doncic trade, Dallas now has the flexibility to build around Flagg's timeline while potentially remaining competitive in the short term.

Beyond Flagg: The Draft's Other Top Prospects

While Flagg stands alone at the top of this draft class, several other promising prospects will be closely examined by teams selecting in the top five.

The Rutgers duo of Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey have established themselves as likely top-five selections. Harper, a 6-foot-6 point guard with exceptional ballhandling skills and scoring ability, broke Rutgers' freshman scoring record while finishing as the fifth-highest scorer in the Big Ten Conference. His creative passing, finishing prowess, and overall offensive package make him an extremely attractive prospect.

Bailey, his Rutgers teammate, brings a different dimension with his athleticism and two-way potential. The freshman forward's combination of size, quickness, and skill development has scouts projecting significant upside at the next level.

Beyond the Rutgers pair, Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe, Texas wing Tre Johnson, Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears, and Duke centre Khaman Maluach form a competitive group vying for top-five consideration. Each brings distinct strengths that could address specific team needs throughout the lottery.

The San Antonio Spurs' second overall selection continues their remarkable recent draft fortune. After securing Victor Wembanyama with the first pick in 2023 and Stephon Castle last year—both winning Rookie of the Year—the Spurs now have an opportunity to add another elite young talent to their developing core.

Should they select either Harper or Bailey, San Antonio would possess one of the league's most promising young nuclei, potentially setting the stage for their next championship window. The Spurs' proven player development system and coaching stability under Gregg Popovich provides an ideal environment for nurturing young talent.

For the Philadelphia 76ers, landing the third overall selection represents a significant opportunity to add another cornerstone piece alongside their established stars. Whether they target Harper, Bailey, or another prospect, the pick arrives at a critical moment for a franchise looking to maximise its current championship window.

Philadelphia's front office now faces an interesting decision: draft a player who can contribute immediately to their veteran-laden roster or select the best talent available regardless of fit. This pick could shape their competitive trajectory for years to come.

Despite entering with among the best lottery odds, the Charlotte Hornets still secured a valuable top-four selection. This pick continues their accumulation of young talent as they work to construct a competitive roster for the future.

After several years in the lottery, Charlotte's patient approach has yielded several promising young players. Adding another top-four selection gives them another opportunity to find a potential star who can help accelerate their development timeline.