The Dallas Mavericks sent ripples through the NBA landscape when they landed the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 Draft despite facing slim odds below 2%.
This stunning lottery outcome immediately sparked conversations across the basketball world about what the team might do with such a valuable asset.
Questions swirled about whether General Manager Nico Harrison would package the pick for an established star to complement their championship aspirations or select a promising prospect.
Those questions now have a definitive answer as the Dallas Mavericks have apparently made their decision.
“The Dallas Mavericks plan to select Duke forward Cooper Flagg and will not trade away the pick for a proven superstar, per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.” Yahoo Sports shared.
The Dallas Mavericks plan to select Duke forward Cooper Flagg and will not trade away the pick for a proven superstar, per @espn_macmahon. pic.twitter.com/X95clnFUth
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 13, 2025
This development comes on the heels of seismic changes within the organization.
Just months before their unexpected lottery triumph, the Dallas Mavericks stunned fans with a blockbuster trade sending franchise cornerstone Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, a move that left supporters reeling and questioning the team’s direction.
The trade created uncertainty about the franchise’s future, especially considering they had already parted with first-round selections from 2027 through 2030 while building their 2024 NBA Finals roster.
Now, Flagg’s arrival offers a glimmer of hope amid these dramatic shifts.
Flagg entered the college basketball scene carrying enormous expectations and delivered on them spectacularly.
The Duke standout collected virtually every major national player of the year honor while posting impressive averages of 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game.
His stellar play propelled the Blue Devils to a remarkable 35-4 record and a Final Four appearance, cementing his status as not just meeting but exceeding the considerable hype surrounding him.
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