NBA world stunned as Mavs score potential $1B draft lottery win despite Luka Doncic trade
The most unlikely outcome has occurred during the NBA draft lottery, with the Dallas Mavericks securing the No.1 pick with 1.8 per cent odds, likely handing them generational prospect Cooper Flagg.
The NBA world has been left stunned, given Dallas traded superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers mid-season for significantly less than many felt he was worth.
It was the most shocking trade in NBA history and the Mavs have followed it up with one of the most unlikely lottery wins in league history, with even LeBron James laughing at it on X.
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The Mavs had a 1.8% chance to win the lottery. NBAE via Getty Images
Dallas effectively jumped 10 spots up the order to win the lottery, while San Antonio and Philadelphia similarly surprisingly jumped up to claim the second and third picks.
Utah, Washington and Charlotte all had 14 per cent odds at winning the lottery, the highest of any teams, but none will hold a top three pick.
Flagg, who spent the year representing Duke University, is seen as a sure-thing superstar and is the consensus No.1 prospect.
He will join Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson on this Mavericks roster.
Duke's Cooper Flagg is the consensus number one draft prospect. Getty
The fact the Mavericks moved off Doncic out of absolutely nowhere and will now bring in Flagg has left many stunned.
The reaction on social media, naturally, has gone to conspiracy theories, given the Mavs traded Doncic to the biggest market team in the Lakers, only to win the lottery a few months later.
Dallas' season was derailed by serious injuries suffered by Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis, putting them in position to miss the playoffs and ultimately win the lottery.
LeBron himself tweeted a bunch of laughing emojis, while Miami Heat centre Kevin Love tweeted: "I mean come on man".
Veteran reporter Adam Schefter believes the lottery win could be worth up to USD$1 billion to the Mavericks' franchise value, giving them a new face following Doncic's departure.
The NBA draft itself will be held on June 26.
