The Dallas Mavericks’ stunning rise to the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, despite having just a 1.8% chance, has reignited long-standing suspicions about the draft lottery’s legitimacy.

With Duke phenom Cooper Flagg expected to go first overall, fans and insiders alike have started questioning whether the league may have had a hidden hand in this surprising result. Adding fuel to the fire is Golden State Warriors veteran Draymond Green, who shared his take on the matter during a national television appearance.

For decades, fans have suspected the NBA of steering the draft in ways that benefit the league's business or storyline needs.

This year is no different. After shipping Luka Doncic to the Lakers in a trade that shocked the basketball world, Dallas seemed to hit the lottery jackpot.During a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Draymond Green didn’t hold back when the subject of the Mavericks’ lottery luck came up. Asked directly whether he believed the result was mere chance or something more orchestrated, Green said:"Although he suspend me often and fine me often, I still consider Adam Silver a friend," Green said.

"So I'm not gonna do him like that. But it may be a little bit suspicious. Just a tad."

Though he tried to soften the blow, Green couldn’t help but comment further on the matter, "Anything that's supposed to happen 1.8% of the time... I may just not be that lucky. Because that never happens for me."His tone may have been half-joking, but the implications were clear and not missed by fans who already viewed the Mavericks' draft luck as suspicious.But outside the lottery controversy, Cooper Flagg's rise as a generational prospect has made the Mavericks’ lottery victory even more talked-about. Flagg, who dominated at Duke and never lost his No. 1 ranking through high school and college, recently met with Mavericks officials, including GM Nico Harrison and team governor Patrick Dumont, per ESPN. Shams Charania reported that Flagg is scheduled for a private workout with Dallas on June 17 and will "be Dallas’ No.

1 pick in the NBA draft on June 25."

The opportunity to pair Flagg with veterans like Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis presents a path to renewal for a Mavericks squad still recovering from the Doncic trade fallout. Flagg’s two-way abilities and leadership potential offer hope to a franchise eager to redefine itself.Also Read: Pascal Siakam shows off commendable football skills with his practice basketball ahead of Game 2 against OKC ThunderStill, questions persist. Was the Mavericks’ draft fortune just a miracle, or a carefully orchestrated redemption arc? As the league prepares for Flagg’s official selection, Draymond Green’s eyebrow-raising remarks have ensured that this debate won’t die down anytime soon.