Breaking: Dallas Mavericks Defy Odds, Win NBA Draft Lottery; Set to Draft Projected No. 1 Pick Cooper Flagg
In a stunning turn of events, the Dallas Mavericks have won the 2025 NBA draft lottery, securing the right to select projected top pick Cooper Flagg. The Mavericks had a mere 1.8% chance of winning the lottery, making their victory one of the most unexpected in recent memory. Flagg, a 6-foot-9 forward from Duke, has been the consensus No. 1 pick since announcing his early college enrollment in 2023. The Mavericks’ shock lottery win comes just months after their controversial trade of Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis. Flagg will now join Davis on a Dallas team aiming to compete immediately next season.
🎉 Mavericks March to NBA Draft Lottery Glory: Cooper Flagg Heads to Dallas! 🐐
In a turn of fate that sent shockwaves through the NBA universe, the **Dallas Mavericks**, with a mere 1.8% chance, have defied the odds to secure the **NBA draft lottery’s top prize**. The Mavs will now have their pick of the litter, with projected No. 1 overall selection, **Cooper Flagg**, headed to the Lone Star state.
🌟 Meet Cooper Flagg: The Blue Chip Blue Devil
The 6-foot-9 forward from Duke University has been the talk of the town since he made the bold decision to fast-track his path to the NBA by enrolling in college a year early. Flagg’s meteoric rise hasn’t been without merit, with the teenager averaging a stellar 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game during his freshman season.
**Did you know?** Flagg became just the third teenager in NCAA history to average at least 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists per game in a season, joining elite company with only Tracy McGrady and Carmelo Anthony before him?
🥇 NBA Draft Lottery Results: The Rest of the Pack
The Mavs’ good fortune came at the expense of other desperate franchises:
- San Antonio (back-to-back Rookies of the Year: Victor Wembanyama & Stephon Castle) will select second.
- Philadelphia lands the third pick.
- Charlotte rounds out the top four.
🌱 The Post-Doncic Era Begins in Dallas
The Mavs’ surprising lottery win comes on the heels of their controversial swap of **Luka Dončić** for **Anthony Davis**. Now, the Mavericks’ future looks bright with Davis and Flagg leading the charge. Here’s a glimpse at how the top of the draft board could shape up:
- 1. **Dallas Mavericks** – Cooper Flagg, Duke (PF)
- 2. **San Antonio Spurs** – Dylan Harper / Ace Bailey, Rutgers (PF/C)
- 3. **Philadelphia 76ers** – VJ Edgecombe, Baylor (PG)
- 4. **Charlotte Hornets** – Tre Johnson, Texas (SG)
🆕 FAQ: NBA Draft Lottery 101
Q: What determines a team’s lottery odds?
A: Teams’ regular-season records and the number of games played determine their lottery odds.
Q: Which teams had the best odds to win the lottery?
A: Utah (14%), San Antonio (14%), Philadelphia (14%), and New Orleans (12.5%) had the highest chances.
Q: When is the NBA draft happening this year?
A: The 2025 NBA draft is set for June 25.
💭 Pro Tips: Mavericks Fans, Here’s What You Can Expect
💻 **Splash Brother 2.0:** Flagg can stroke it from deep (43.5% 3P%) and dish it out (5.3 APG), making him a perfect complement to Davis’s inside-out game.
🏋️♀️ **Defensive Difference-Maker:** The Mavericks have lacked a defensive force since Dončić’s departure. Flagg’s length and athleticism (2.2 BPG, 1.4 SPG) can help rectify that.
📞 Join the Conversation
Now that the dust has settled and Cooper Flagg is officially a Dallas Maverick, it’s time to weigh in. How confident are you in the Mavs’ new duo of Flagg and Davis? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
AP, ESPN’s Michael C. Wright, and Jonathan Givony contributed to this report.