NBA world loses it over Draft Lottery as conspiracy theories erupt
The Dallas Mavericks have secured the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft in scenes that have left basketball fans furious.
The Mavericks entered the Draft Lottery with a 1.8 per cent chance of securing the top spot, but it was their ball that won out.
The pick comes months after the organisation severed ties with superstar Luka Doncic in a move that sparked fierce backlash not only among the team's own fan base but across the league.
It is the first time in franchise history that Dallas moved up in the lottery after having only an 8.5 per cent chance of making the top four.
Conspiracy theories the NBA Draft had been rigged immediately started taking off with fans furious the first overall pick was heading to Dallas despite their lowly odds at winning it.
Basketball fans are now convinced the league stepped in to provide the top pick to the Mavericks to help soothe the fan base over in the wake of the Doncic trade.
ESPN reporter Shams Charania said in the aftermath: 'This is unbelievable.'
Lakers Nation wrote on X: '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.'
The Ringer's Bill Simmons wrote: 'Oh get the f*** out of here. Come on.'
Current NBA player Kevin Love wrote: 'There is no f***ing way.'
Pardon My Take added: 'The Mavericks picking first overall ... NBA rigged.'
Bryson Wright wrote: 'We all know the lottery is rigged but this is on a different level. Did the NBA promise them the 1st pick to get Luka to LA.'
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— PJ Washington (@PJWashington) May 12, 2025
the nba is never beating the rigged allegations pic.twitter.com/mFitmydwoC
— csb (@itsCSB__) May 12, 2025
The Mavericks can now set their sights on adding the consensus first overall pick in 18-year-old Cooper Flagg.
The Duke standout has been described as the 'safest No.1 pick in ages' by Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor.
Flagg is coming off an impressive freshman season at Duke which saw him average 19.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.3 blocks per game.
'It's his growth as a shot creator that will decide if he reaches his All-Star floor or soars to his Hall of Fame ceiling,' O'Connor said.
As was the case with now San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, the worst teams in the NBA had all the reasons in the world to tank as hard as they could down the stretch to give themselves the best chance of drafting Flagg.
The 18-year-old has been generating hype for a number of years now, with Kevin Durant even declaring in an interview with Boardoom that Flagg can be 'one of the top players in the league for 15 years'.
NBA Draft Lottery order
1. Mavericks
2. Spurs
3. 76ers
4. Hornets
5. Jazz
6. Wizards
7. Pelicans
8. Nets
9. Raptors
10. Rockets
11. Trail Blazers
12. Bulls
13. Hawks
14. Spurs
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