The Dallas Mavericks, four months after trading superstar Luka Dončić, leapt up from a 1.8 percent chance to win the first overall pick and the right to select Cooper Flagg.

The NBA draft lottery once again produced straight-up drama and intrigue this week, with the Dallas Mavericks defying astronomical odds to land the No. 1 overall pick. That got us thinking about the NFL’s draft system that simply rewards the league’s worst teams without any wrinkles.

While the Oklahoma City Thunder are busy with their Round 2 playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, the 2025 NBA draft lottery was revealed. The randomness always creates chaos. It happened again as the Dallas Mavericks landed the No. 1 pick and will likely add Cooper Flagg.