LeBron James had the same reaction as everyone else to the Mavs winning the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft

After the Mavs moved up 10 spots to win the No. 1 pick in the draft lottery on Monday, LeBron James reacted the same way as about every other NBA fan did.

The NBA may never beat the rigged allegations after Monday night.

While it is likely not true that the league is rigged in any way, that’s a harder truth to accept after Monday’s lottery for the 2025 NBA Draft. Coming into the night with just a 1.8% chance of the top pick, the Dallas Mavericks moved up eight spots to No. 1, winning the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes.

And everyone had the exact same thought.

Months after trading Luka Dončić to the Lakers in a deal that, even Lakers fans can admit, was quite generous, the Mavs just so happen to land the No. 1 pick. This feels an awful lot like 2019 when, months after trading Anthony Davis to the Lakers, the Pelicans landed the No. 1 pick.

If the word “rigged” comes to mind, you wouldn’t be alone. And while LeBron James didn’t say as much on Twitter, I think as much could be implied from his tweet.

He wasn’t alone as Kevin Love was absolutely tweeting through it with his reaction to the lottery as well.

I mean, the Mavs getting the No. 1 pick honestly feels a little too on-the-nose. Again, it probably isn’t rigged, but the NBA is never getting rid of those allegations now.

So, months after trading away one franchise superstar, the Mavs will welcome in a generational prospect in Flagg, who will pair nicely in the front court with Anthony Davis. Somehow, I don’t think this will stop Mavs fans from wanting Nico Harrison fired, though.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.