{"id":139318,"date":"2025-05-13T10:03:12","date_gmt":"2025-05-13T14:03:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=139318"},"modified":"2025-05-13T10:03:12","modified_gmt":"2025-05-13T14:03:12","slug":"the-nba-just-tied-the-loose-ends-of-its-draft-lottery-storylines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/05\/13\/the-nba-just-tied-the-loose-ends-of-its-draft-lottery-storylines\/","title":{"rendered":"The NBA Just Tied the Loose Ends Of Its Draft Lottery Storylines"},"content":{"rendered":"

CHICAGO – The 2025 NBA Draft Lottery delivered drama, surprises, and closure to some of the league\u2019s most bizarre recent storylines. From the shocking Dallas Mavericks<\/a> turnaround to the Philadelphia 76ers<\/a>\u2019 strategic tanking, and the San Antonio Spurs\u2019<\/a> continued rise, the lottery played the role of savior, twist-maker, and accelerator all at once. Each subplot seemed to converge under the bright lights of the lottery reveal.<\/p>\n

The NBA Just Tied the Loose Ends Of Its Draft Lottery Storylines<\/h2>\n

Mavericks Win Lottery and Cooper Flagg<\/h3>\n
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May 12, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, US; Rolando Blackman of the Dallas Mavericks reacts after winning the the first pick during the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery at McCormick Place. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Mavericks entered the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery with a 1.8% chance of landing the No. 1 overall pick. They won. With that win, they also earned the right to draft Cooper Flagg,<\/a> the Duke phenom and likely first overall selection. The 6’9″ forward is a complete two-way player. Many call him the most NBA-ready college prospect in decades.<\/p>\n

This lottery win saved a Mavericks franchise in chaos. Four months ago, they traded Luka Don\u010di\u0107<\/a> to the Lakers for Anthony Davis<\/a>. The move triggered outrage<\/a>. Fans protested. \u201cFire Nico\u201d chants echoed in the arena. Some supporters were even escorted from games. General Manager Nico Harrison received death threats. A GoFundMe campaign emerged to \u201csave the Mavs.\u201d Then came the injuries. Davis looked dominant early before breaking down again. Kyrie Irving tore<\/a> his ACL. The roster became so depleted that Dallas struggled<\/a> to dress eight players.<\/p>\n

After a season-ending play-in loss to a rudderless Memphis<\/a> team, the Mavericks seemed destined for a rebuild. Then, the NBA Draft Lottery bailed them out. The team now gets a clean slate. Conspiracy theories floated about how the Lakers got Don\u010di\u0107 so easily. The Mavericks didn’t even shop him around the league. But regardless of intent, Harrison can now count his blessings. Flagg may change everything.<\/p>\n

Sixers Tank, Thunder Wait, and the Lottery Delivers Again<\/h3>\n

Philadelphia entered the season with championship expectations. They signed Paul George<\/a> to join Joel Embiid<\/a> and Tyrese Maxey.<\/a> Instead, disaster struck. Injuries hit both stars. The Sixers fell to 3\u201314 and never recovered.<\/p>\n

Luckily for them, the NBA Draft Lottery offered a lifeline. Philadelphia\u2019s 2025 pick belonged to Oklahoma City\u2014unless it landed in the top six. In an offseason full of questions, the Sixers made a decision: they tanked. Hard. The lottery rewarded their effort. Their pick landed at No. 3, so they get to keep it. They now have a young building block and another year of protection before the pick conveys to the Thunder.<\/p>\n

Oklahoma City will have to wait a little longer. But if their series against the Nuggets is any sign, they\u2019re doing just fine. The Thunder remain contenders with a top-heavy roster and stockpiled picks. Had the Sixers\u2019 pick fallen out of the top six, OKC could have added another top prospect. That would\u2019ve been terrifying.<\/p>\n

This is how the NBA Draft Lottery subtly preserves balance. It gives underperforming teams the tools to rebuild quickly while curbing runaway dynasties. The Sixers\u2019 tank job paid off. The Thunder’s patience was only slightly delayed.<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs Keep Winning<\/h3>\n

The Spurs continue to quietly build a juggernaut. The 2025 NBA Draft Lottery handed them two picks in the lottery\u2014No. 2 and No. 14. The second pick came despite just a 6.3% chance of landing there. The 14th pick came via the Dejounte Murray<\/a> trade with Atlanta<\/a>\u00a0in 2022.<\/p>\n

This follows two straight years of gold: Victor Wembanyama<\/a> and Stephon Castle<\/a>, both Rookie of the Year winners. Now, the Spurs can add another elite talent\u2014or use their picks in a trade to fast-track contention. Reports suggest they\u2019re interested in Giannis Antetokounmpo.<\/a><\/p>\n

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.@WindhorstESPN<\/a> details how a Giannis trade might be possible and which teams to watch out for \u2b07\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/9HCydYW1VZ<\/a><\/p>\n

— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) May 12, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n