The 2025 NBA Draft Lottery delivered chaos, heartbreak, and jubilation in one of the most stunning shakeups in recent history. Teams entered hoping to land Duke star Cooper Flagg — the consensus top pick and a generational talent — but only one would strike gold.
Here’s a look at the biggest winners and losers from a night that reshaped the NBA’s future.
Winners
Dallas Mavericks Strike Lottery Gold
No team came away with a more consequential victory than the Dallas Mavericks, who won the No. 1 pick despite entering the night with just a 1.8% chance. That opportunity wouldn’t have existed without a coin flip win over the Chicago Bulls, which bumped Dallas to 11th in the pre-lottery order. Had the Bulls won the flip, they would have held the Mavericks’ odds — and possibly their luck.
Now, Dallas holds the rights to select Cooper Flagg, the national college player of the year and most highly regarded NBA prospect since Victor Wembanyama. Flagg’s elite defensive instincts, shot-making versatility, and leadership skills make him a transformative piece. His potential arrival instantly changes the narrative surrounding the franchise’s decision to trade Luka Dončić.
GM Nico Harrison, under intense scrutiny since the blockbuster deal that sent Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, suddenly has a path forward — and a potential franchise savior.
Now, the Mavericks can pair Flagg with established veterans like Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and Davis, assuming Irving re-signs in free agency as expected.
San Antonio Spurs Get Another Great Pick
The Spurs struck gold of their own, jumping from eighth to the No. 2 pick with just a 6.3% chance. The move positions them to add another elite talent — likely dynamic guard Dylan Harper — to pair with Wembanyama, who just completed one of the best rookie seasons in recent memory.
San Antonio also owns the No. 14 pick via Atlanta, giving them options to trade up, move for a veteran, or double down on upside. Few teams are better positioned to make a leap.
Lottery Protection Pays Off for the Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers were staring down the possibility of losing their pick unless it landed in the top six. It jumped all the way to No. 3. That’s an enormous win for a franchise seeking to reload around Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George after another playoff disappointment.
Whether they keep the pick and draft a top prospect or use it as trade currency, Philadelphia just gained a major asset — and a lifeline for its contention window.
Losers
Utah Jazz Go from League’s Worst to Lottery’s Worst
The Jazz tied for the best odds at the No. 1 pick (14%) after a 17-65 season — and left lottery night with the No. 5 pick, the worst-case outcome based on their slot. After a grueling year, Utah misses out on Flagg and will have to dig deeper to build around Lauri Markkanen.
A step back like this delays an already slow rebuild and leaves fans questioning what comes next.
Washington Wizards Squander Tanking Season
Like Utah, the Wizards had a 14% shot at Flagg and ended up with the No. 6 pick, falling out of the top tier of this class. For a team that desperately needs a face of the franchise and just endured a 65-loss season, it’s another blow.
Washington’s rebuild — already years in the making — now faces more uncertainty and another long climb.
Brooklyn Nets Drop Far
After scrambling to regain control of their own pick, the Nets landed at No. 8, failing to capitalize on their tanking efforts. The goal was clear: land a top-five pick, potentially to either draft a star or use as trade bait for a disgruntled All-Star.
Instead, they’ll face limited leverage and mounting pressure to deliver results.
Chicago Bulls Haunted By Losing Coin Flip
The Bulls didn’t just stay at No. 12 — they lost the coin flip with Dallas that slotted them 12th instead of 11th. That 0.1% difference in odds gave Dallas the path to win the lottery and select Flagg.
It’s a brutal twist for a franchise that has resisted a full rebuild. With no upward movement and no clear direction, the Bulls remain stuck in the NBA’s most dangerous position: the middle.
