Mark Cuban and Son Stunned as Mavericks Land No. 1 Pick in Unlikely Lottery Triumph

Mark Cuban, former majority owner of the Dallas Mavericks, didn’t expect much from the NBA draft lottery. His message to The Dallas Morning News revealed a long-standing pessimism, shaped by decades of the Mavericks’ bad luck in the draft. Cuban admitted he anticipated another disappointing outcome, much like every year since 1980. With this mindset, he tuned in to the lottery broadcast from his bedroom, joined by his son, Jake.

Father and Son Witness Mavericks Defy Lottery Odds in Stunning Draft Night Surprise

Jake, just 15 years old, likely didn’t need a full rundown of the Mavericks’ infamous lottery misfortunes—he’s grown up hearing about them. Cuban, who owned the team for 23 of its 45 years, has seen more than his fair share of frustrations.

But as the lottery unfolded and familiar teams were revealed in the bottom tier, both father and son realized something different was happening. When Dallas was not among the first four names announced, the improbable became possible.

With just a 1.8% chance of landing the top pick, the Mavericks’ name moving into the top four sent shockwaves through Cuban’s living room. He immediately called Patrick Dumont, the team’s new governor and his successor in ownership, to share the thrilling development. Dumont, attending a track meet in Nevada, received the call as excitement began to surge among fans and team leadership alike.

Dallas Defies the Odds, Uniting Leadership with Emotional No. 1 Lottery Victory Celebration

As the countdown continued on live television, suspense built. When the third and fourth picks were revealed as Charlotte and Philadelphia, only Dallas and San Antonio remained. The Cuban household erupted in jubilation when the Spurs were announced as the second pick, giving Dallas the No. 1 selection. Cuban described the moment as surreal, likening their celebration to the joy of a buzzer-beater win.

The lottery win wasn’t just a milestone for the franchise—it was a moment of unity for Cuban and Dumont, who had previously disagreed over the trade of star player Luka Doncic. Cuban recalled their euphoric phone call, filled with laughter and disbelief, as if they were teenagers at a Taylor Swift concert.

Afterward, he extended the celebration by calling head coach Jason Kidd and texting general manager Nico Harrison and others. For Cuban, it was more than a win—it was a long-awaited reward and a moment to remember.