Part 4/8:
When the unexpected happened, and the Mavericks emerged as the lottery winners, it stirred disbelief and excitement in equal measure. Nico had initially championed a defensive strategy, emphasizing championship pursuits over immediate results. In contrast, the lottery victory seemed a subversion of prior narratives about the franchise. According to Rick Weltz, the team's CEO, the lottery win felt like “a reversal of fortune of epic proportions,” hinting at renewed enthusiasm amongst fans and sponsors eager to see a new direction driven by a promising talent.