The Dallas Mavericks made the shocking leap up in the NBA draft lottery to land the No. 1 overall pick. Despite having a 1.8% chance of doing so, the Mavericks now hold the pick and have the option of taking Duke Blue Devils standout Cooper Flagg.
While Flagg is the option that many expect the Mavericks to take, they could also consider pursuing a veteran player in a blockbuster trading involving the rights to the Duke star.
Flagg has a chance to be a long-term superstar. He put together a big-time freshman season with the Blue Devils during the 2024-25 college basketball season, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game, while shooting 48.1% from the floor and 38.5% from 3-point distance.
Those numbers are impressive, but one former four-time NBA All-Star believes that Dallas should pass on Flagg in favor of another move.
DeMarcus Cousins has spoken out and revealed what he thinks the Mavericks should do. He believes Dallas should trade the No. 1 pick to the Phoenix Suns for Kevin Durant.
"Cooper Flagg doesn't fit that window, KD does," he said.
Making a move for Durant could make sense for the Mavericks. However, passing on a talent like Flagg could be a major regret for years to come.
Cooper Flagg
Duke Blue Devils star Cooper Flagg.
© Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images
Durant is now 36 years old. If Dallas were to make that kind of trade, its championship window would be open for another year or two. With Flagg, that window could remain open long past Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis being gone.
Last season with the Suns, Durant averaged 26.6 points per game to go along with six rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks. He also shot 52.7% from the floor and 43% from the 3-point line.
Making such an aggressive win-now move might be intriguing, but Flagg offers much bigger long-term potential. The Mavericks have a tough decision to make on what they want for the future of their franchise.