Mavericks' Historic Lottery Win Secures Top Pick, Star Prospect Cooper Flagg

The Dallas Mavericks achieved an unprecedented upset in the 2025 NBA Draft lottery, securing the top pick and the chance to select highly touted prospect Cooper Flagg. Despite having the 11th-best odds, 1.8%, to get the top pick, the Mavericks rose 10 spots to claim the prize. This monumental win is a "reversal of fortune" for the team, according to CEO Rick Welts, who praised the fans for their dedication. Flagg, a 6-foot-9 forward, is widely expected to be the No. 1 pick in the draft and has received multiple National Player of the Year awards and ACC All-Defense accolades.

Key Takeaways:

• The Dallas Mavericks achieved a historic upset in the 2025 NBA Draft lottery, securing the top pick with a 1.8% chance.
• This is the first time a team has climbed 10 spots to win the lottery, with the Mavericks becoming the first team to do so.
• Cooper Flagg, the projected No. 1 pick, averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game during his lone season at Duke.
• Flagg received multiple National Player of the Year awards and ACC All-Defense accolades.
• The Mavericks' 2024-25 season was marked by the departure of All-Star guard Luka Doncic and a rash of injuries, resulting in a 39-43 record.
• A team featuring Flagg and the current Mavericks lineup, including All-Star guard Kyrie Irving, forward/guard Klay Thompson, and forward/center Anthony Davis, seems promising.

Statistics:

• The Mavericks had a 1.8% chance to get the top pick in the lottery.
• This is the first time a team has won the top pick by climbing 10 spots.
• Cooper Flagg averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game at Duke.
• The Mavericks went 39-43 in the 2024-25 season.
• The first round of the 2025 NBA Draft will air at 8 p.m. EDT on June 25 at ABC and ESPN.

Sources:

• UPI, May 13 (cite as "May 13 (UPI)")
• UPI, May 13 (await mentioning names, programs, initiatives, or stories, only cite as provided)