Title: Lucky Mavericks Snatch top NBA Draft Pick Amidst Ownership Scrutiny
Billionaire Sheldon Adelson's team, the Mavericks, clinch NBA Draft Lottery victory
Date: May 12, 2025, 10:22h.
Author: Todd Shriber (@etfgodfather)
Category: Sports/Business/Gaming
Topics: NBA Draft, Dallas Mavericks, Cooper Flagg, Mergers and Acquisitions
Dallas Mavericks Stun with Top NBA Draft Pick
Monday evening's NBA Draft Lottery saw an unexpected winner - the Dallas Mavericks. Owned by Las Vegas Sands' (NYSE: LVS) key stakeholder and high-ranking executive, the Mavericks are now positioned to select Duke's Cooper Flagg with the top pick, assuming no trades are made. With Miriam Adelson as the largest individual shareholder and Patrick Dumont serving as COO and president, the Mavericks could add a potential game-changer to their lineup that narrowly missed the playoffs this year[1].
Sands' executive Patrick Dumont, who governs the franchise, and General Manager Nico Harrison have been under scrutiny recently due to the controversial trade of Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in February. The trade unsettled fans, leading some to question Dumont and Harrison's strategies for bettering the team[2]. This lucky draw might be the team's much-needed break[3].
Entering the draw, the Mavericks had only a 77.6% chance of retaining the 11th pick, but they landed the number one spot, stunning the sports world. Prior to the draw, the team had a mere 8.5% chance of reaching the top four and a minuscule 1.8% chance of securing the number one pick[4].
Questionably Traded: Luka Doncic to Land Cooper Flagg?
With Cooper Flagg's potential arrival, there has already been some rumor about the Duke star's fate in Dallas. Some speculate that Flagg may not play for the Mavericks, perhaps due to compatibility issues with Anthony Davis, one of the players involved in the controversial Doncic trade[2].
If the Mavericks choose to trade the number one pick, Dumont and Harrison may face further criticism, especially if Flagg becomes a standout player[2]. Due to NBA stipulations concerning past trades, the Mavs cannot trade this pick until Draft Night on June 25.[1]
Gaming Connections Among NBA Owners
In addition to Adelson and Dumont, owners Tilman Fertitta (Houston Rockets) and James Dolan (New York Knicks) have ties to the gaming industry[5]. Fertitta was previously head of the Golden Nugget casino portfolio, while Dolan control Sphere Entertainment, which owns the Las Vegas Sphere, though it is not a gaming venue.[5]
[1] Team Going For Top Draft Pick[2] Luka Doncic Trade Sparks Controversy[3] Mavericks' Unlucky Run Ends with a Fortunate Turn[4] Enormous Odds Defied in NBA Draft Lottery[5] Other NBA Owners with Gaming Connections[6] NBA Draft Lottery - Full Results & Analysis[7] Developments in Luka Doncic Trade Fallout[8] Breaking Down Cooper Flagg as a Potential Top Draft Pick[9] NBA Unmasking - The Hidden Side of Basketball[10] Chances of Landing Top Draft Pick - Historical Analysis
- The Dallas Mavericks, given their ownership ties to the gaming business through Las Vegas Sands, might be looking to further expand their sports portfolio with the top NBA draft pick, Cooper Flagg.
- The Mavericks' fortunate draw of the number one pick in the NBA draft could alleviate some of the scrutiny facing GMs Nico Harrison and Patrick Dumont, who were under fire following the controversial Luka Doncic trade.
- Despite only having a minuscule 1.8% chance of securing the top pick in the NBA draft lottery prior to the draw, the gaming-connected Dallas Mavericks, owned by the Las Vegas Sands, managed to stun the sports world by landing the top spot, adding to the intrigue surrounding basketball's NBA draft and the subsequent career path of Duke's Cooper Flagg.
