Dallas Basketball

Dallas Mavericks make NBA history in NBA Draft Lottery

There has never been a team with worse odds to get the first-overall pick since the changes made in 2019.
Keenan Womack|
May 12, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, US; Rolando Blackman of the Dallas Mavericks reacts with Mark Tatum NBA Deputy Commissioner after winning the the first pick during the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery at McCormick Place. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
May 12, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, US; Rolando Blackman of the Dallas Mavericks reacts with Mark Tatum NBA Deputy Commissioner after winning the the first pick during the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery at McCormick Place. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | David Banks-Imagn Images

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Dallas MavericksDuke Blue Devils

After the absolutely hellish season endured by the Dallas fandom and organization, the draft lottery was a chance for the franchise to regain some ground on the rest of the Western Conference after falling into the play-in following a Finals appearance in 2024.

Considering Dallas entered the night with a very slight 1.8% chance to land the top overall pick, the odds were certainly stacked against the team that just three months ago traded away its superstar, Luka Doncic, to the LA Lakers for diminishing returns.

READ MORE: Duke star Cooper Flagg reacts to Mavericks landing first pick in 2025 NBA Draft

Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg
Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after a three point basket against the Houston Cougars during the first half in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Despite this self-inflicted crisis, the Dallas Mavericks lucked out, landing the top overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. All signs point to the team taking freshman combo forward Cooper Flagg out of Duke, an elite two-way player who has been called a "generational prospect" by many scouts for his ability to affect the game on both ends of the floor.

This marks the first time in franchise history that Dallas has picked first overall. In 1994, they were close, picking current head coach and former point guard Jason Kidd second out of California, which to this point would have been their highest-ever selection. Dallas is also the team with the longest odds to ever win the top pick, replacing last season's Atlanta Hawks in this category since the lottery changes in 2019.

READ MORE: NBA personality believes Mavericks landing Cooper Flagg would be a 'moral outrage'

They have only picked in the top five a grand total of four times, with the most recent being 2018's selection of Luka Doncic, who was acquired in a trade with Atlanta. This pick marks the changing of the guard, the beginning of a new era in Dallas.

Though many people will say GM Nico Harrison does not deserve this bailout, it is obvious that the fanbase does. Whether Harrison finds some way to mismanage this pick as well, we will have to see.

READ MORE: BREAKING: Mavericks land first overall pick in 2025 NBA Draft

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Keenan Womack
KEENAN WOMACK

Keenan Womack is a sportswriter native to Dallas, Texas, who has spent the last 12 years in Austin, the home of his alma mater, the University of Texas. Keenan has covered sports for SB Nation, Bleacher Report, Rivals/Orangebloods, a host of his own sites and now, Fan Nation. Focusing on basketball, Keenan was on the beat for the Longhorns hoops team for the last two-and-a-half years before moving on to pursue other opportunities. He is married and lives with his wife close to the Moody Center, so they can continue to catch games together.

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