Fans Accuse NBA Of Rigging Draft Lottery As Mavericks Potentially Land Cooper Flagg With No.1 Pick

The second most anticipated event in the year for all NBA prospects happened a few hours ago: the NBA Draft Lottery. Heading into the Lottery, the Mavericks had a 1.8% chance of landing the No. 1 overall pick. Fans smelled something fishy when the Mavericks landed the No. 1 overall pick for the 2025 NBA Draft. They saw a pattern with the NBA and started hurling accusations on social media.

The last time Anthony Davis was traded to the Lakers, the Pelicans (his former team) landed the No. 1 pick in the following year. With this pick, they could draft Zion Williamson, who ended up becoming the face of that franchise. Similarly, when Luka Doncic was traded to the Lakers, the Mavericks (his former team) faced the same consequences and landed the No. 1 overall pick. 

This pattern enraged NBA fans online as they expressed their frustration and curiosity. While some fans were simply left in disbelief, some openly alleged that the NBA is rigged and Adam Silver should suffer the consequences. Media aggregators posted various memes about the shocking nature of this pick. One of them was a pretentious phone call between Adam Silver and Nico Harrison, where Silver claims Harrison should trade Luka Doncic if he wants Cooper Flagg in the draft. X users saw this post and went on to criticize the Mavs landing this pick.

"This has to be rigged, it makes no sense", said a fan on X.

"Somehow, the first pick usually goes to the one who will create the most news with it… Sh*ts rigged", said another fan.

"ADAM SILVER CORRUPT GET HIM OUT", said an angry fan online who blamed Adam Silver, the NBA commissioner, for orchestrating this pick. 

"Adam Silver making CIA-level, undercover agent-type moves", said an X user online.

 "Exactly how it went down, burn in hell silver, u bald headed demon", said a frustrated X user.

"The NBA has ALWAYS been rigged.....this is just the latest evidence..... The ratings determine the winner of each round and draft lottery.... They choose the refs that will call the game to get the result they want for maximum viewership. The league has always been a Joke," said an annoyed fan on X. 

What Does This Mean For Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks?

Copper Flagg is the frontrunner among a highly talented draft class and is expected to be picked No.1 by the Mavericks if everything goes well. Flagg will be an asset to any team he joins and arguably has the highest upside in this class. The only two other names in the same discussion as the Rutgers duo, Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, both of whom do not have the same skillset as Flagg.

Therefore, if the Mavericks do end up picking Flagg with the No. 1 pick, the new Big 3 in Dallas will be cemented, and they will instantly become championship contenders next season. With Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis' championship pedigree, this duo will be the best veterans for a rookie like Flagg. 

Will Cooper Flagg become a key piece for the Mavericks' potential championship run next season? With Flagg's versatile ability to be a three-level scorer as well as a guard and forward, he could help Irving and Davis lead the Mavericks to a championship as early as the next season.