Biggest Winners and Losers of the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery

Monday, May 13th, 2025 will go down as one of the most controversial dates in NBA history. Fans across the globe were locked in for the lottery reveal—an event capable of changing the fate of entire franchises.

And nothing was more shocking than the Dallas Mavericks vaulting to the No. 1 overall pick, despite having just a 1.8% chance. It marks the second straight year that a team with such odds landed the top selection, following the Atlanta Hawks’ improbable win last year.

The dust has settled, the order is set, and emotions are running high. Some teams are celebrating, others are devastated. Here’s a breakdown of the biggest winners and losers from the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery:

Winner: Dallas Mavericks

No better place to start than with the Mavericks—who jumped 10 spots, tying the largest leap in lottery history. After a season straight out of a nightmare, Dallas fans finally have something to celebrate.

Since February, this franchise has experienced it all:

• Luka Dončić was traded overnight. 
• Anthony Davis, his replacement, went down in his first game. 
• Kyrie Irving suffered a season-ending injury heading into free agency. 

It’s been absolute chaos.

But with the No. 1 pick in hand, General Manager Nico Harrison suddenly looks vindicated. He effectively turned Luka into Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg. Whether that move rivals the Clippers’ Kawhi-PG blockbuster from 2019 remains to be seen—but it’s hard to argue with the outcome.

 

Loser: Washington Wizards

No Eastern Conference team deserved the top pick more than Washington. Not only did they miss out on No. 1, they dropped outside the top four—a crushing blow.

Yes, they’ve built a decent foundation from the 2024 class with Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, and Kyshawn George. But they’re still missing that franchise cornerstone. Cooper Flagg could’ve been that savior. Even blue-chip perimeter players like Dylan Harper or Ace Bailey would’ve added star power.

Now, they’re not even in range for someone like VJ Edgecombe, a defensive-minded prospect out of Baylor who would’ve paired nicely with Sarr. Instead, Washington may have to settle for a high-floor, low-ceiling player—just to justify major minutes next season.

Winner: San Antonio Spurs

Texas wins again.

• Paige Bueckers to the Dallas Wings. 
• Cooper Flagg to the Mavericks. 
• And now, the Spurs walk away with the No. 2 pick—a golden asset heading into a pivotal offseason. 

With whispers surrounding the potential availability of stars like Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo, San Antonio suddenly has one of the most enticing packages in the league.

The Spurs hold the No. 2 and No. 14 picks (thanks to the Dejounte Murray trade). They could:

• Package both to chase a star. 
• Use No. 2 on Harper or Bailey to solidify their core. 
• Trade back for future capital and keep pace with OKC’s pick war chest. 

In short: the Spurs now have the most flexibility of any lottery team this summer.

 

 

Loser: Chicago Bulls

March 27, 2025 will be remembered as the day the Bulls beat the Lakers… and lost Cooper Flagg.

Chicago’s season was better than expected. They played tough behind Josh Giddey, even after moving on from DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine. But that competitiveness came at a cost.

They made the Play-In.
They lost in the Play-In.
They lost a coin flip to the Mavericks for a 1.8% chance.
The Mavericks won the coin flip—and the lottery.

One flip of a coin separated Chicago from the No. 1 pick.

This one stings. It joins the franchise’s Mount Rushmore of heartbreaks:

• Derrick Rose’s Achilles. 
• Trading LaMarcus Aldridge on draft night. 
• Missing out on Carmelo Anthony to the Knicks. 

Once again, Chicago is stuck in the purgatory of mediocrity.

 

Winner: Phoenix Suns

The Suns just became the most interesting team in the NBA.

With the Mavericks, Spurs, and Rockets now armed with top picks and future assets, Kevin Durant’s trade market just opened wide.

• Dallas could flip the No. 1 pick to reunite KD with Kyrie (and maybe Klay Thompson) in a win-now push. 
• The Spurs could dangle No. 2 and cap relief. 
• The Rockets have the No. 10 pick, Suns’ future picks, and young talent. 

The Suns are in second apron hell. If there were ever a time to blow it up—this is it. And with Durant and potentially Devin Booker on the table, the league could see a full-scale reboot in Phoenix.

 

Loser: Eastern Conference TV Ratings

Let’s just say the NBA’s broadcast partners weren’t thrilled with how the ping pong balls fell.

• Chicago, Washington, and Brooklyn all missed out on the top 3. 
• Ace Bailey might land with the Sixers, but they haven’t been stable since pre-Process days. 
• Rumors swirl around Giannis potentially leaving Milwaukee. 
• Jayson Tatum just suffered a possible Achilles injury. 
• The East could be headlined by Joel Embiid for 50 games, Jalen Brunson, and Tyrese Haliburton—and that’s it. 

Once again, the Western Conference holds the talent edge. And it’s not close.

 

Draft season is officially underway. With a summer full of trade rumors, team rebuilds, and top-tier prospects like Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, and Ace Bailey on the board—it’s time to lock in.

Who do you think were the biggest winners and losers from the 2025 Draft Lottery? And which prospects are you most excited to see hit the league?

Join the conversation over on the Baltimore Sports and Life message board under the NBA tab and stay tuned for more coverage as we head into a pivotal offseason.