In a surprising twist to the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery, the Dallas Mavericks secured the No. 1 overall pick despite having just a 1.8% chance.
This unexpected development positions them to select Duke's standout freshman, Cooper Flagg, a player widely regarded as a generational talent.
Duke's head coach, Jon Scheyer, shared his thoughts on Flagg's potential move to Dallas.
"Well, for me, the first thing I thought of is that he gets to be with Dereck Lively. And Dereck, as a head coach, was the first guy to get drafted. So, to go from the first lottery pick that I've coached to who I think is gonna be the number one pick. That's a pretty special thing to think about those two guys together."
Flagg's freshman year at Duke was nothing short of remarkable.
He averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, leading the Blue Devils to the NCAA Final Four.
His performance earned him prestigious accolades, including the Wooden and Naismith awards.
Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer and Cooper Flagg (2).
Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer and Cooper Flagg (2).
Rich Barnes-Imagn Images
The Mavericks' acquisition of the top pick comes on the heels of a significant roster change.
In February, Dallas traded away their superstar Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers, a move that was met with widespread criticism.
However, this decision inadvertently positioned them to land the top draft pick, offering a chance to rebuild around a new cornerstone.
The 2025 NBA Draft is scheduled for June 25-26 at the Barclays Center in New York.
All eyes will be on Dallas as they make their selection, potentially setting the stage for a transformative period in the franchise's history.