After making a blockbuster midseason trade that sent superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, the Dallas Mavericks couldn’t live up to lofty expectations. Davis suffered an injury in his debut game in Dallas and missed over a month of action. Just as he made his return, Kyrie Irving was dealt a devastating blow with a season-ending injury.
As a result, the Mavericks stumbled through the remainder of the season, finishing with a disappointing 39-43 record while missing playoffs. The team just barely secured the 10th seed in the Western Conference.
However, those hopes faded quickly, and attention shifted to the NBA Draft Lottery. With only a 1.8% chance of landing the top pick, Dallas seemed destined for a quiet offseason.
#️⃣1️⃣#MFFL pic.twitter.com/ScIX3xy9T6
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) May 13, 2025
But fate had a different plan. Surprisingly, the Mavs defied the odds and secured the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The leap from the No. 11 spot to No. 1 marked the largest jump in the Draft Lottery since 2008 when the Chicago Bulls landed the top pick with a 1.7% chance and ultimately selected Derrick Rose.
This time, Dallas holds the sweepstakes ticket for consensus top prospect Cooper Flagg. Many believe the Duke star can transform a franchise.
Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison Overwhelmed With Joy After Landing Top Draft Pick
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For Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison, winning the top pick feels like a championship moment. Harrison has faced intense criticism from fans ever since orchestrating the controversial trade that sent Doncic to the Lakers. The backlash has been strong. Many fans even called for his dismissal and expressed frustration over the team’s direction.
However, the lottery win gave Harrison a much-needed breath of fresh air. The Mavericks’ official X account posted a video showing Harrison overcome with excitement. He was spotted emotional and relieved, as if years of pressure had suddenly lifted.
The moment we won 🙌 #MFFL pic.twitter.com/KfsitX1tFE
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) May 13, 2025
The victory in the draft lottery may not erase the sting of the season’s failures. But it marks a potential turning point and perhaps redemption for the embattled GM.
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