The Dallas Mavericks and Nico Harrison have been handed a huge lifeline in their post-Luka Doncic era after winning the 2025 NBA draft lottery on Monday, Afrosport reports.
Dallas had a 1.8% chance of winning the lottery and is expected to select Duke phenom Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick during this year’s NBA draft scheduled to take place in June.
The Mavericks, who won the lottery for the first time in franchise history, climbed 10 spots to secure the top pick for the largest jump by any team in lottery history.
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This historic feat gives the franchise’s front office a lucky break after having received so much backlash for the shocking trade of Slovenian star Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in February.
“I am so happy for Mavericks fans,” Dallas CEO Rick Welts said, while holding on to the envelope with the No. 1 on it. “I only got to Dallas January 1 this year.
“February 1, we broke the internet [with the Doncic trade]. I am just amazed at the depth of emotion and connection that the fan base has with this team. And what happened today, I can’t imagine a better day for Mavs fans. It’s going to really be something special. I can’t wait to get back to Dallas.”
Flagg is the huge favourite to be the top pick in the draft, with the 6-foot-9 forward averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in his only season at Duke and leading the Blue Devils to a Final Four appearance.
“I don’t know who we’re going to take, but should we take him, I think his résumé is pretty strong,” Welts said. “Every time he’s put in a situation that everyone wondered if he could succeed, he’s succeeded and then some.”
The Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, and Charlotte Hornets, who all had a forgettable regular season campaign, entered with the best odds of winning Monday’s lottery, each with a 14% chance. Following closely were the New Orleans Pelicans (12.5%), Philadelphia 76ers (10.5%), and Brooklyn Nets (9%).
The San Antonio Spurs, however, got the second pick, with another opportunity to select a top prospect after having back-to-back rookies of the year in Victor Wembanyama and Stephone Castle.
Philadelphia will pick third, Charlotte will pick fourth, Utah gets fifth, and Washington will pick sixth.
New Orleans will pick seventh, followed by Brooklyn (eighth), Toronto (ninth), Houston (10th), Portland (11th), Chicago (12th), Atlanta (13th) and San Antonio (14th).
The 2025 NBA draft will take place on 25-26 June at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
