The 2025 NBA Draft Lottery shook the league as the Dallas Mavericks improbably won the No. 1 pick with 1.8% odds, while the San Antonio Spurs and Philadelphia 76ers vaulted into the top three.
For Rutgers stars Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, the lottery outcome carries significant consequences for their draft stock and landing spots in June’s draft.
How Do the NBA Draft Lottery Results Affect Prospects’ Outlooks?
WINNERS
San Antonio Spurs, Pick No. 2
The Spurs leapfrogged from the No. 8 slot to No. 2, positioning themselves to select Rutgers guard Dylan Harper.
“Harper did his best to keep the No. 1 pick conversation interesting for parts of the season with his skill level, shot creation and scoring prowess,” as per ESPN.
“It feels crazy, surreal.”
Dylan Harper reacts to being in attendance at the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery presented by State Farm…
Featuring a cameo from Rutgers teammate Ace Bailey 🥹 pic.twitter.com/zyZi3knHsZ
— NBA Future Starts Now (@nbafuturenow) May 12, 2025
Harper’s ability to finish through contact and draw fouls underlines why San Antonio couldn’t pass on him. Moreover, “It seems like Dylan Harper is the pretty clear second overall pick in this year’s draft,” according to reports.
Philadelphia 76ers, Pick No. 3
Philadelphia celebrated as their pick climbed to No. 3, keeping “a high-value draft selection” in house after a 24-58 campaign. Rutgers wing Ace Bailey now figures to be their choice.
“Bailey’s shotmaking chops and significant scoring upside would give Philly another strong building block for the long term, in addition to its rising backcourt of Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain,” as per Jeremy Woo.
Landing at No. 3 ensures Bailey enters a championship-contending environment eager for his streaky but tantalizing scoring talent.
Dallas Mavericks, Pick No. 1
Despite owning just a 1.8% chance, Dallas captured the top ping-pong ball, vaulting itself into position to draft Duke phenom Cooper Flagg.
While Harper and Bailey eyed Nos. 2 and 3, the Mavericks’ unlikely win reshaped the entire draft picture. Their gambit pays homage to Nico Harrison’s redemption narrative — “public enemy No. 1 in Dallas” after trading Luka Dončić — now recast as savior thanks to this lottery miracle.
LOSERS
Utah Jazz, Pick No. 5
The Jazz, who held the league’s worst record, plummeted out of the top four entirely, condemning them to the No. 5 pick. Utah “won’t pick until fifth overall, meaning they will likely miss out on Flagg, Ace Bailey, Dylan Harper, and VJ Edgecombe,” as per reports.
Full 2025 NBA Mock Draft Post Lottery: Mavericks Win the Cooper Flagg Sweepstakes
Landing outside the top four marks the worst-case scenario, leaving questions about Lauri Markkanen’s extension and whether Utah should package assets to move back into contention.
Washington Wizards (Pick No. 6), Charlotte Hornets (Pick No. 4)
Both franchises watched generational talent slip away. Washington drops to No. 6 despite the NBA’s worst record in the East, and Charlotte settles at No. 4
The Wizards’ rebuild stalls once more after a 15-67 collapse, while the Hornets add Flagg to a litany of disappointments that include missing Shaquille O’Neal (1992) and Victor Wembanyama (2023). For Bailey, the Hornets’ pick at No. 4 could have been an alternative landing spot, yet now he heads to Philly instead.
Each twist in the 2025 Draft Lottery carries ripple effects for Harper, Bailey, and the franchises vying for their talents. As June 25 approaches, these lottery results will prove pivotal in shaping the next generation of NBA stars.
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