Dallas delight as Mavericks storm to unlikely top pick
DESPITE having just a 1.8 per cent chance of doing so, the Dallas Mavericks have snagged the first overall selection in the 2025 NBA Draft in a stunning result from the draft lottery on Tuesday.
The Mavericks jumped 10 spots to be awarded the number one pick for next month’s draft, in an amazing conclusion to the tumultuous 2025 for the franchise. After making the controversial decision to trade the face of the franchise in Luka Doncic for veteran big man Anthony Davis, the latter was injured for much of the season, along with fellow star Kyrie Irving, so it was a frustrating finish to the season to say the least.
However, the result of the draft lottery certainly makes amends, with the Mavericks now all but certain to select generational talent Cooper Flagg and be among the contending sides during the upcoming season given the young gun is expected to make an immediate impact. With the veteran guidance of Davis and Irving set to fast track his development, Dallas has found its next franchise player.
Picking second will be the San Antonio Spurs, who have produced back-to-back NBA Rookies of the Year in Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama, allowing them to find another young gun, although the potential to trade for a proven superstar will also be a tempting prospect.
Rounding out the top three will be the Philadelphia 76ers, who will get to keep their pick as it fell inside the top six, with the alternative being handing the selection to the Oklahoma City Thunder if it was drawn any lower. A frustrating season saw the Sixers struggle with injuries, with the big three in Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey all spending significant time on the sidelines, and having nailed their last selection in Jared McCain, will be looking to add a top tier talent again.
The likes of the Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz and Charlotte Hornets all fell below their expected selection in a disappointing result for a trio of franchises that endured poor campaigns with the promise of an exciting draft crop.
The 2025 NBA Draft will take place on June 26, with the Mavericks the first team on the clock.
2025 NBA Draft Order
1. Dallas Mavericks
2. San Antonio Spurs
3. Philadelphia 76ers
4. Charlotte Hornets
5. Utah Jazz
6. Washington Wizards
7. New Orleans Pelicans
8. Brooklyn Nets
9. Toronto Raptors
10. Houston Rockets (from Phoenix via Brooklyn)
11. Portland Trail Blazers
12. Chicago Bulls
13. Atlanta Hawks (from Sacramento)
14. San Antonio Spurs (from Atlanta)
15. Oklahoma City (from Miami via the LA Clippers)
16. Orlando
17. Minnesota (from Detroit via New York, Oklahoma City, and Houston)
18. Washington (from Memphis)
19. Brooklyn (from Milwaukee via New York, Detroit, Portland, and New Orleans)
20. Miami (from Golden State)
21. Utah (from Minnesota)
22. Atlanta (from the Los Angeles Lakers via New Orleans)
23. Indiana
24. Oklahoma City (from the LA Clippers)
25. Orlando (from Denver)
26. Brooklyn (from New York)
27. Brooklyn (from Houston)
28. Boston
29. Phoenix (from Cleveland via Utah)
30. LA Clippers (from Oklahoma City)
31. Minnesota (from Utah)
32. Boston (from Washington via Detroit and Brooklyn)
33. Charlotte
34. Charlotte (from New Orleans via San Antonio, Phoenix, and Memphis)
35. Philadelphia
36. Brooklyn
37. Detroit (from Toronto via Dallas and San Antonio)
38. San Antonio
39. Toronto (from Portland via Sacramento)
40. Washington (from Phoenix)
41. Golden State (from Miami via Brooklyn and Indiana)
42. Sacramento (from Chicago via San Antonio)
43. Utah (from Dallas)
44. Oklahoma City (from Atlanta)
45. Chicago (from Sacramento)
46. Orlando
47. Milwaukee (from Detroit via Washington)
48. Memphis (from Golden State via Washington and Brooklyn)
49. Cleveland (from Milwaukee)
50. New York (from Memphis via Oklahoma City and Boston)
51. LA Clippers (from Minnesota via Atlanta and Houston)
52. Phoenix (from Denver via Charlotte and Minnesota)
53. Utah (from the LA Clippers via the Los Angeles Lakers)
54. Indiana
55. Los Angeles Lakers
— New York (forfeited)
56. Memphis (from Houston)
57. Orlando (from Boston)
58. Cleveland
59. Houston (from Oklahoma City via Atlanta)
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