There is a big conspiracy theory going around that the NBA fixed the draft lottery to assure the Dallas Mavericks would win, and some are now wondering if even Kyrie Irving believes that to be the case.
The Mavericks on Monday won the NBA Draft Lottery for the first time in franchise history, landing the top pick despite having just a 1.8 percent chance of winning it. That gives them the No. 1 overall pick, which they will almost certainly use on former Duke star Cooper Flagg.
Many people think the NBA rigged the lottery so Dallas would win after the Mavericks did the NBA a favor three months ago by trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, who are the most popular team in the league.
On Tuesday morning, Irving had a notable reaction to the big news about his team. He wrote “1.8%” on X and shared two laughing face emojis.
1.8% 🤣🤣
— Kyrie🤞🏾 (@KyrieIrving) May 13, 2025
That may have simply been Irving’s way of showing excitement and disbelief. However, some think there is a chance Kyrie was laughing for another reason.
even kyrie knows the nba is rigged
— khash 💸💸🥭 (@lockedupjaden) May 13, 2025
Even my 🐐 knows ts was hilarious 🤣😭
— Jalen🍋🟩 (@imjalenwynn) May 13, 2025
Even you know it’s rigged 😂
— Chris J. Martin, ESQ. (@_InChris_iTrust) May 13, 2025
The Doncic trade made very little sense, and Mavericks fans have only become more frustrated about the decision every time general manager Nico Harrison addresses it. Doncic is one of the best young players in the NBA, but Dallas decided to trade him for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick.
It is difficult enough for fans to accept that a team with a 1.8 percent chance to win the lottery somehow secured the No. 1 pick. The fact that it happened to the team that inexplicably traded away their franchise cornerstone makes it even more suspicious.
Perhaps even Irving is questioning whether the outcome was truly random.
