Overview

• The Dallas Mavericks won the 2025 NBA Draft lottery with only a 1.8% chance, months after trading Luka Dončić, prompting renewed speculation about the lottery being rigged.
• Shaquille O'Neal claimed that former Commissioner David Stern asked him in 1992 if he preferred playing in a 'hot' or 'cold' city before the Orlando Magic secured the No. 1 pick.
• Shaq’s anecdote has fueled conspiracy theories, with critics noting that Stern’s 2020 death makes verifying the story impossible.
• Former NBA player Dwyane Wade commented that the league operates as a business, furthering speculation that lottery outcomes may serve commercial interests.
• Despite the speculation, no concrete evidence has emerged to support claims of manipulation, and analysts continue to debate the significance of historical coincidences.