"Two teenagers at a Taylor Swift concert" - Mark Cuban reveals sharing visceral reaction with Patrick Dumont after landing No. 1 pick in Draft Lottery
Mark Cuban and Patrick Dumont shared an ecstatic moment on Monday night when the Dallas Mavericks shocked the NBA world yet again, winning the No. 1 pick in the Draft Lottery on Monday night. Both Cuban and Dumont have been heavily involved in the organization as one of its owners and governors, respectively.
Mark Cuban bought a majority stake the Mavericks back in 2000 for $285 million. With the team worth around $4.5 billion according to Statista, Cuban sold his majority stake in the team this year to Dumont. Under new ownership, Dallas took steps into a different direction, angering both their fanbase and the higher-ups in the organization.
Mark Cuban and Dumont were at odds earlier in the season when Dumont and general manager Nico Harrison made the decision to trade franchise superstar Luka Doncic to the LA Lakers at the trade deadline. After winning the lottery, though, Cuban called Dumont and the two shared a happy moment, according to Dallas News writer Brad Townsend.
"First call was to Patrick to congratulate him and scream like we were two teenagers at a Taylor Swift concert," Cuban said.
Mark Cuban watched the Draft Lottery with his son as it happened, and the two reacted as the Mavericks shot into the top four and eventually secured the top selection.
"Then my son and I were bouncing around like we were watching a 3-point game-winner in slow motion," Cuban said. "When they called the Spurs, we went nuts."
Dallas had some of the worst odds of any lottery team, but will be picking first in the 2025 NBA Draft. Their luck started before the lottery, with them winning a fateful coin flip against the Chicago Bulls to secure the 11th-best odds.
Most experts anticipate that Duke star Cooper Flagg will be the newest Maverick as the team pivots to their post-Doncic era. However, having the top selection gives the team options ahead of the 2025 offseason.
What could Mark Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks do with the No. 1 pick?
Cooper Flagg has been the highest-ranked prospect in his class for years. He proved last summer that he can play at the NBA-level when he held his own against Team USA before they went to Paris for the Olympics. Now that Dallas has the top pick, the overwhelming expectation is that they will hold on to their pick and take Flagg.
However, the No. 1 pick in the draft is one of many assets that could entice the Milwaukee Bucks to let go of Giannis Antetokounmpo in a trade. The two-time MVP is expected to request a trade out of Milwaukee after another first round exit and a torn ACL suffered by Damian Lillard. If the Mavericks are willing to part with Flagg, they could form a dynamic duo of Antetokounmpo and Anthony Davis.
Harrison held multiple press conferences to explain to Mark Cuban and Mavericks fans why he traded away Doncic in February. He was adamant that he wants to build a team that can win now and dominate the game defensively. Trading for Antetokounmpo fits into that mindset perfectly and makes Dallas a series title contender, especially when Kyrie Irving returns from his injury.
The price for the Greek Freak is high, but it is one that the Mavericks can now pay with the top selection in the 2025 NBA Draft.
