When the Dallas Mavericks defied the odds to snag the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery with just a 1.8% chance, the basketball world was left buzzing. It was a jaw-dropping moment that had fans and insiders alike raising eyebrows, especially after the franchise had traded away their superstar, Luka Dončić, to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Many thought this move marked the beginning of a long rebuild for Dallas. Instead, landing the No. 1 overall pick and selecting Cooper Flagg turned the narrative on its head, injecting newfound hope into the franchise.
Adding intrigue to this already dramatic storyline, veteran journalist Pablo Torre stirred the pot with comments on the Chapo Trap House podcast. Torre revealed that two NBA owners privately expressed skepticism about the lottery's integrity, suggesting it was “obviously fixed.”
Torre shared, “I was at an event the day after the NBA lottery and spoke to two NBA owners. They both felt the lottery was fixed.” This revelation adds a layer of complexity to the situation, as it’s not just online speculation but whispers within the league's own circles.
The optics were indeed striking. A team criticized for trading a generational talent suddenly finds itself with another potential franchise cornerstone.
Meanwhile, the Lakers, with Dončić now in tow, continue to bolster their lineup as LeBron James' career winds down. For conspiracy theorists, this sequence of events seemed almost too perfect, with Dallas regaining relevance and the Lakers maintaining their competitive edge.
However, suspicion alone doesn't equate to proof.
Understanding the Mavericks’ Lottery Win
The NBA draft lottery is a meticulously controlled process, conducted in front of media representatives, team officials, and overseen by the independent auditing firm Ernst & Young. While the actual drawing isn't broadcast live, the procedure is documented and available for public scrutiny afterward. Reporters who have witnessed the lottery process consistently describe it as tightly regulated.
From a statistical perspective, the Mavericks’ 1.8% chance was slim, but not impossible. History shows that teams have made similar leaps in the lottery without sparking widespread allegations of foul play. The Mavericks had never jumped from such long odds to claim the top spot, making the outcome feel more astonishing than suspicious.
It’s also important to consider that Dallas wasn’t initially planning on landing the No. 1 pick. Their strategy was to compete with the acquisition of Anthony Davis alongside Kyrie Irving. Unfortunately, injuries derailed this plan, unexpectedly thrusting them into the lottery mix.
Torre’s comments highlight a broader issue of trust within the league, especially during pivotal moments. Conspiracy theories often flourish when outcomes appear narratively perfect.
Yet, until concrete evidence emerges, these claims remain speculative. For now, Cooper Flagg is set to don a Mavericks jersey, and Dallas’ surprising lottery win stands as a remarkable twist in NBA history, not necessarily a scripted one.