The 2024-25 season turned out to be a nightmare for the Dallas Mavericks. After trading away their franchise cornerstone, Luka Doncic, the team not only struggled on the court but also failed to make it to the playoffs.
Surprisingly, the Mavericks’ fortunes seemed to shift quickly heading into the 2025-26 season. They defied the odds and secured the top pick in the NBA Draft Lottery.
During an appearance on SportsCenter, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon revealed that the Mavericks have already locked in their decision for the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft. He shared that team governor Patrick Dumont is fully aware of the opportunity this pick represents, especially following the uncertainty that came with the Luka Doncic trade and the complicated future involving owed draft picks from 2027 to 2030.
“What I can tell you is Patrick Dumont, the governor of the Dallas Mavericks, recognizes the gift horse that was delivered to this franchise that, frankly, after the Luka Doncic trade, had massive business concerns. Had significant long-term concerns with him owing the picks from ’27-’30, either outright or via swaps,” MacMahon said.
Banned MacMahon on the Mavs plans ahead of the draft:
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) May 13, 2025
"I understand that there's gonna be speculation about Giannis. The Dallas Mavericks will be picking Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick" pic.twitter.com/8cUHT0XtLm
“He recognizes just how much Cooper Flagg would help mitigate those concerns. Again, it’s a gift horse; the Mavericks are not going to look in the mouth. The Dallas Mavericks will be picking Cooper Flagg with the number one overall pick,” he added.
Klay Thompson’s Dad Takes A Playful Shot At Dallas Mavericks After Draft Lottery Win
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After the Mavericks lucked into the No. 1 pick, Klay Thompson’s father, Mychal Thompson, took to social media with a humorous take on the situation. In a sarcastic post, he hinted at the possibility of Cooper Flagg eventually finding his way to Los Angeles, just like the way they traded Luka.
“And the good thing is Luka will only be 31 wen Dallas trades Coop to the Lakers in 5 years,” Mychal wrote.
Following the surprising lottery results, several fans and commentators speculated that the NBA Draft Lottery might be “rigged.” Many believe that the Mavericks’ decision to trade Doncic for Anthony Davis midseason and their resulting poor record may have been a calculated move to position themselves for the No. 1 overall pick.
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