Despite ending up with the second overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, why does it feel like the San Antonio Spurs lost? The obvious answer is that they came within just one pick of selecting first overall for the second time in three drafts. That cost them the [chance to pair Cooper Flagg](https://airalamo.com/cooper-flagg-hype-train-crashed-right-victor-wembanyama) with Victor Wembanyama.
Worse yet, the Dallas Mavericks got the first overall pick, despite them thumbing their noses at the basketball gods when they traded Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. Their being rewarded for a dumb trade just seems wrong, and apparently, Flagg also agrees.
This is considering how he reacted upon hearing the Mavericks will have the first overall pick. Even though he knew that cameras would be fixed on him, he seemed less than thrilled to hear that the Mavericks would be in a position to draft him first.
Unfortunately for him, he has very little say over what the Mavericks ultimately do come June 25th. However, if his camp raises concerns about the Mavericks organization, then they may be more inclined to trade him. Perhaps even to the rival Spurs if the price is right.
The Dallas Mavericks may do the Spurs a huge favor
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It's rare but not unprecedented for a team with the first overall pick to trade down, with it last happening back in 2017. The Boston Celtics had the first overall pick but opted to trade down to three and select Jason Tatum, while the Sixers selected Markelle Fultz with the first overall pick.
The Celtics also got another lottery pick for the trouble, while the Sixers got a major draft bust in Fultz. Going back further, the Orlando Magic famously ended up with this first overall pick back in 1993, only to trade back to the third spot and pick up Penny Hardaway and three future first-round picks.
That turned out to be a great move for the Magic, and it could potentially be great for the Mavericks if they are willing to consider trading the first pick. Of course, I'm biased as a Spurs fan, but a potential package of the second pick, the 14th pick, and the Atlanta Hawks' unprotected 2027 first-round pick for number one would be tempting.
Could the Spurs trade for Cooper Flagg?
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Trading back one spot could net the Mavericks a second lottery pick as well as a potential top 10 pick in just 2 years. That pick could be especially enticing considering that Trae Young is entering the final year of his contract and may not even be on that team by then.
It's a stretch, I know, but there is a scenario in which they could be enamored by Dylan Harper, who is a 6-5 point guard with special playmaking abilities. If they see him as a potential superstar, then getting another lottery pick in this year's draft and a future lottery pick would make sense for them. Even if it would further alienate their fan base.
For the Spurs' part, this trade would all but ensure that they wouldn't trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo. But they wouldn't need to if they could pair Flagg with Wembanyama.
Overall, a lot could happen in the seven weeks leading up to the draft. Given Mavericks GM Nico Harrison's recent history of making highly questionable trades, it can't be completely written off that he would be open to moving the number one pick.