The NBA Draft lottery took place on Monday night in Chicago. There were some unexpected developments, but none bigger than the Dallas Mavericks jumping into the top-four and then winning the No. 1 overall pick. Dallas had just a 2.5% chance of entering the top-four, and just a 1.8% chance at landing the top pick (via NBA PR).
This good fortune is something the Mavericks needed. Since trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas has been in a downward spiral. Injuries to Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis derailed what could have been a formidable duo post-Doncic.
The Doncic deal stunned the NBA world, with many believing there was collusion to get the Slovenian superstar to LA. Similarly, the NBA is now being accused of rigging the lottery for Dallas.
“The Dallas Mavericks are picking first overall,” Barstool’s Pardon My Take posted on X. “NBA Rigged?”
Posts like these quickly flooded social media after the news of Dallas landing the top pick.
“The ghost of David Stern watching Adam Silver blatantly rig the lottery,” Jason Gallagher of Mind The Game posted.
“NBA 100% rigged this draft lottery to reward Dallas for agreeing to the league-administered Luka trade,” said one fan. “You cant make this up.”
“Yup the Luka trade was rigged #confirmed,” said another.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
“The Mavs getting Flagg after trading Luka is the most rigged thing I’ve seen in a long time,” one fan wrote.
“NBA just showed its cards, Mavericks lose Luka- the entire fanbase turns on ownership – and then they get the first pick,” added another. “The NBA is rigged.”
“So you’re telling me Adam Silver gave The Mavericks Cooper Flagg by a coincidence after he traded Luka Doncic,” one asked. “Most rigged draft lottery in NBA history.”