The Dallas Mavericks stunned the NBA world by winning the 2025 Draft Lottery despite entering with just a 1.8% chance at securing the top pick. Miami Heat legend and Utah Jazz minority owner Dwyane Wade didn’t hold back, subtly hinting at a potential irregularity surrounding the Mavericks’ unexpected victory.
With the Mavericks trading away Luka Doncic last season and now in position to draft NCAA star Cooper Flagg, Wade suggested the timing felt a bit too perfect. Speaking with USA TODAY Sports, Wade shared his perspective on the business side of the NBA.
“I’m not saying anyone is doing anything because I’m not a witness in it,” Wade said. “But this is a business that we are a part of, and I think people forget that in the competition of sports and what we love because we grew up playing sports, and it’s not a business when we grow up”.
The Miami Heat icon elaborated on how the league must ensure its financial and competitive stability. “When you’re in the NBA, it’s business, and the business has to do its best job to make sure that it’s well taken care of,” he added. “So I don’t know, I’m just saying”.
Wade draws parallels to the 2008 Draft
Wade didn’t limit his comments to the Mavericks’ situation. He reflected on his own experience during the 2008 NBA Draft, when his Miami Heat were expected to secure the No. 1 pick.
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“I was there one year, I think it was 2008, when I thought we were going to get the No. 1 pick. We ended up getting the number two pick; we drafted Michael Beasley. But the Chicago Bulls, just like Dallas, they had a small percentage and ended up jumping to the top spot. And in my mind, I said, ‘Derrick Rose is the No. 1 pick in the Draft, and the Bulls are gonna get first.’ And the Bulls did,” Wade recalled.
He concluded with a hint of skepticism: “Maybe that was a coincidence. Maybe LeBron going to Cleveland is a coincidence”.
