Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison was at the center of attention after luck landed his team the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. With that selection, Dallas chose Duke’s rising star Cooper Flagg. The excitement around the pick, however, came with a wave of controversy.
The Mavericks’ good fortune raised eyebrows around the league. Despite entering the lottery with just a 1.8% chance of winning, Dallas secured the top pick. It sparked outrage from NBA fans who took to social media to accuse the league of rigging the draft.
Following the selection of Flagg on Wednesday night, Harrison addressed the conspiracy theories. He dismissed the allegations with confidence and focused instead on the opportunity ahead.
“Fortune favors the bold,” he said.
Nico Harrison speaks on Mavs landing No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg despite 1.8% odds 🙌⭐️
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 26, 2025
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Much of the suspicion stems from the Mavericks’ dramatic midseason trade of franchise star Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. That bold move, followed by a disappointing finish in ninth place and a loss in the play-in tournament, unexpectedly positioned Dallas for the lottery. As a result, critics believe the Mavericks’ downfall and subsequent luck in the draft were plotted from the start.
Nico Harrison Hopes Cooper Flagg’s Arrival Eases Fan Criticism
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Since orchestrating the Doncic trade, Harrison has been the target of intense criticism from the Mavericks fan base. However, with Cooper Flagg now officially a Maverick, Harrison expressed hope that some of that heat might now subside.
“I’m hoping so. I’m assuming so a little bit, maybe,” Harrison said when asked if selecting Flagg could ease the backlash he’s faced in recent months.
Flagg’s future in the NBA is promising. But only time will reveal whether the gamble pays off.
