NBA Draft Lottery Conspiracies: Examining the Evidence of Rigging
The NBA Draft Lottery has long been surrounded by conspiracy theories questioning its legitimacy. Here's an analysis of the most compelling evidence and notable "coincidences" throughout its history.
The Frozen Envelope Theory (1985)
- First-ever NBA Draft Lottery
- New York Knicks won rights to Patrick Ewing
- Conspiracy claims NBA froze Knicks' envelope to be identifiable by touch
- Additional claims of bent corner on Knicks' envelope
- League allegedly wanted star player in major NYC market
The LeBron James Era
- 2003: Cleveland Cavaliers win lottery to draft hometown star LeBron James
- Post-LeBron departure (2011-2014):
- Won 2011 lottery with 2.8% odds (Kyrie Irving)
- Won 2013 lottery with third-best odds (Anthony Bennett)
- Won 2014 lottery with ninth-best odds (Andrew Wiggins)
- Multiple high draft picks helped lure LeBron back to Cleveland
The Derrick Rose Selection (2008)
- Chicago Bulls had just 1.7% chance of winning
- Won lottery and drafted Chicago native Derrick Rose
- Made NBA's third-largest market relevant again
- Rose became youngest MVP in league history
Additional Suspicious Cases
- 2012: New Orleans gets Anthony Davis after NBA-owned period
- 2016: Dikembe Mutombo congratulates 76ers hours before lottery
While these coincidences raise questions, many lottery results appear random and legitimate. However, the frequency of convenient outcomes for major markets and compelling narratives continues to fuel speculation about the lottery's integrity.