If you’re a conspiracy theorist convinced the NBA Draft Lottery is rigged, look away. This one was an all-timer, one that saw the Dallas Mavericks — despite coming in with a 1.8 percent chance to win the No. 1 pick — earn the right to select Duke’s Cooper Flagg.
Folks, I don’t know what to tell you. My mind is blown, but when you think about it, is it really all that surprising? We saw one of the most egregious, logic-defying trades in sports history when Dallas GM Nico Harrison decided to trade generational talent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, of all franchises, for pennies on the dollar.
Didn’t explore other trades for better value — or even let teams know the five-time All-Star and All-NBA First Team member was available, for that matter. Simply worked out a deal with the biggest brand in the NBA to pair him with LeBron James as the league fights to improve ratings.
Now, that team is rewarded with the No. 1 pick in a draft of Cooper Flagg, then everyone else? You’ve got some explaining to do, Adam Silver. You could show me the footage of those stupid ping pong balls bouncing in the Mavericks’ favor and I’d tell you it was AI. No chance in France this lottery process wasn’t rigged. Argue with a wall.
Oh, and it happens to be on the day Giannis Antetokounmpo politely requests a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks — er, ‘open minded’ about exploring his options? If Dallas isn’t wanting to go young with Flagg, they get to use him as the ultimate trade bait for the Greek Freak. I’m sure the Bucks wouldn’t mind that No. 1 pick they now have in their back pocket.
What does it have to do with Kentucky? Absolutely nothing. Koby Brea is still projected as a second-round pick while Otega Oweh is figuring out his standing at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago this week. Jaxson Robinson, Amari Williams, Lamont Butler and Andrew Carr will either be late selections or fight for roster spots as undrafted free agents.
Doesn’t mean we can’t call out some cheating to get a Dukie. Do better, NBA. You have convinced no one this result was legitimate. Dallas scratches Adam Silver’s back, Adam Silver scratches Dallas’ back. Everyone wins but the rest of the league.
Sorry, fans of Utah, Washington, Charlotte and New Orleans. You got royally screwed.
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