LeBron James might have seen this coming. Before the Dallas Mavericks won the 2025 NBA draft lottery and the right to select Duke phenom Cooper Flagg , the Los Angeles Lakers superstar suggested the league’s lottery system isn’t always as random as it seems.
LeBron James questioned the NBA draft lottery earlier this year
During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show earlier this season, LeBron James pointed out a few suspicious coincidences in draft lottery history.
"Cleveland got the number one pick when I was coming out?" James said. "What a coincidence. Let's keep LeBron home. Patrick Ewing to the Knicks. Derrick Rose to the Bulls. I understand the assignment, guys." (H/t: Sporting News)
His comments referenced some of the most notable draft lottery wins in NBA history—all of which conveniently placed franchise-altering talents in major markets or ideal situations. Now, the Mavericks’ unexpected lottery win has reignited the debate.
The Dallas Mavericks’ unlikely lottery win raises eyebrows
The Dallas Mavericks defied the odds to secure the top pick in the 2025 draft, a move that will likely see them select Cooper Flagg, the most hyped prospect since LeBron James himself. The timing is curious—just a few years after the Mavericks controversially traded Luka Dončić, a decision that still puzzles fans and analysts.
If the NBA were rigging the lottery, why reward a team for a questionable front-office move? The Dallas Mavericks’ win doesn’t fit the usual "big market favoritism" narrative, making this outcome even more puzzling for conspiracy theorists.
Is the draft lottery actually rigged?
For all the speculation, there’s no concrete evidence the NBA manipulates the lottery. Over four decades, no whistleblower has come forward, and disgruntled teams that missed out on top picks haven’t produced any smoking guns.
More likely, the draft is simply a high-stakes game of chance—one that occasionally delivers dream scenarios, like Cooper Flagg landing in Dallas. Whether by luck or design, the Dallas Mavericks now have a chance to reset their franchise, just as the Cavaliers did with LeBron in 2003.
Also read: NBA Trade Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers could send $101,355,998 legend to Dallas Mavericks after disappointing playoff exit
For now, fans will keep debating. And if Cooper Flagg becomes the next face of the league in Dallas, LeBron James might just have another example to add to his list.
LeBron James questioned the NBA draft lottery earlier this year
During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show earlier this season, LeBron James pointed out a few suspicious coincidences in draft lottery history.
LeBron been said the lottery is rigged lol pic.twitter.com/3WDmTeLAHF https://t.co/Yw7uUpM5vZ
— ²³𝙻𝚎𝙱𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚜🏀☄️🌎💞 (@BronGotGame) May 12, 2025
"Cleveland got the number one pick when I was coming out?" James said. "What a coincidence. Let's keep LeBron home. Patrick Ewing to the Knicks. Derrick Rose to the Bulls. I understand the assignment, guys." (H/t: Sporting News)
His comments referenced some of the most notable draft lottery wins in NBA history—all of which conveniently placed franchise-altering talents in major markets or ideal situations. Now, the Mavericks’ unexpected lottery win has reignited the debate.
The Dallas Mavericks’ unlikely lottery win raises eyebrows
The Dallas Mavericks defied the odds to secure the top pick in the 2025 draft, a move that will likely see them select Cooper Flagg, the most hyped prospect since LeBron James himself. The timing is curious—just a few years after the Mavericks controversially traded Luka Dončić, a decision that still puzzles fans and analysts.
If the NBA were rigging the lottery, why reward a team for a questionable front-office move? The Dallas Mavericks’ win doesn’t fit the usual "big market favoritism" narrative, making this outcome even more puzzling for conspiracy theorists.
Is the draft lottery actually rigged?
For all the speculation, there’s no concrete evidence the NBA manipulates the lottery. Over four decades, no whistleblower has come forward, and disgruntled teams that missed out on top picks haven’t produced any smoking guns.
More likely, the draft is simply a high-stakes game of chance—one that occasionally delivers dream scenarios, like Cooper Flagg landing in Dallas. Whether by luck or design, the Dallas Mavericks now have a chance to reset their franchise, just as the Cavaliers did with LeBron in 2003.
Also read: NBA Trade Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers could send $101,355,998 legend to Dallas Mavericks after disappointing playoff exit
For now, fans will keep debating. And if Cooper Flagg becomes the next face of the league in Dallas, LeBron James might just have another example to add to his list.
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