Is the NBA Draft Lottery rigged? If not, how do you explain Derrick Rose to Chicago with a 1.7% chance? Or Anthony Davis to New Orleans? Or of course, Cooper Flagg (potentially) to the Dallas Mavericks with a 1.8% chance – shortly after trading Luka? Feels a little too good to be true, no?

The NBA Draft Lottery has been a suspect of alleged rigging since it was introduced in 1985. That was the year of another convenient storyline, where Patrick Ewing wound up on the New York Knicks. In fact, there's even a widespread conspiracy theory about this draft itself called the Frozen Envelope.

In this episode, we dissect the origins of the NBA Draft in the 80s, on behalf of a hungry new commissioner who was hellbent on turning the league into a marketing behemoth. We also dive into the most suspicious drafts in NBA history, making a claim that yes, the NBA Draft has most definitely been rigged at one point or another.

What do you think? NBA Draft rigged or not? Let me know in the comments.

Questions? Feedback? Hit me at logan@logankegley.com.

Thanks for listening. Go Sonics.

(0:00) Dallas Mavericks Win the 2025 Draft

(1:35) A History of Convenient Storylines

(5:27) Origins of the NBA Draft Lottery

(9:54) Patrick Ewing & The Frozen Envelope Draft

(12:30) Derrick Rose, Anthony Davis, and the Most Suspicious Drafts in NBA History

(21:27) My Thoughts on the NBA Draft Lottery