The shock of Monday night’s lottery results probably hasn’t completely worn off for everybody. After all, it’s not often that a team leapfrogs to the No. 1 pick with just a 1.8 percent chance to do so. The fact that the lucky winner is was the Dallas Mavericks, who have been under fire for their decision to trade five-time All-Star Luka Doncic for 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis adds to the improbability.
Yet, now that the dust has settled, it’s time to start thinking about what’s ahead for Dallas.
Projected No. 1 Pick Cooper Flagg ‘Thrilled’ To Play For Mavericks
With the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Mavs are widely expected to select Duke freshman Cooper Flagg. At 18 years old, he already has an NBA-ready body and a game suited for the pro level. Former Mavs great Ronaldo Blackman gave Flagg a concise scouting report when he said: “He can hoop, he can play.” (h/t On SI’s Jayden Armant)
According to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, his “camp realized how fortunate he is to land in Dallas. Flagg is said to be thrilled by the idea of joining a playoff-caliber roster with strong veterans and a team that has a void at the small forward position.”
To be clear, the Mavericks don’t really have a void at small forward. In 2024-25, small forward Naji Marshall had a career season. He was particularly impactful after the All-Star Break, averaging 16.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. Furthermore, he’s on an affordable contract through 2027.
The Mavericks have a few other notable options at small forward as well. Its neither Klay Thompson, PJ Washington, nor Max Christie’s primary position. Nevertheless, they can play it in a pinch.
Flagg just has an advantage over each of those aforementioned players in one way or another.
The Best Option
At approximately 6-foot-8 and 220 pounds, Flagg’s a well-rounded forward with star potential.
Due to an up-and-down start to the Maine product’s 2024-25 campaign, Rutgers guard Dylan Harper emerged as a serious contender for the No. 1 spot. However, Flagg eventually separated himself by improving his outside efficiency and growing more comfortable as a shot-creator. To that point, though Harper is also quite versatile and a supremely confident scorer, Flagg has better physical tools and defensive upside.
By the end of his 2024-25 campaign, he was averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.4 steals per game.
18 year old Cooper Flagg explosive athleticism pic.twitter.com/aPcw1vu5Qr
— Pitless (@pitlessball) April 8, 2025
He also converted 38.5 percent of his threes.
In terms of advanced stats, he recorded a NCAA-high +16.3 box plus-minus and ACC-high 8.4 win shares. His defensive rating (89.5) was also tops in the ACC, as well as third overall in the NCAA. His offensive rating (126.3) was third in the ACC.
Will They Keep The Pick?
There can be no assumption that the Mavs will keep the No. 1 pick, particularly when they’re led by nonconformist Nico Harrison. In fact, given their win-now mentality, it would be more feasible for them to trade the pick for an established talent. Among their options are multiple perennial All-NBA selections.
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant is an ideal skill fit for the Mavericks. The former Texas Longhorn is an all-time great scorer, which helps them survive without Kyrie Irving. With Dallas deciding to employ a Twin Tower lineup, his jump shooting prowess also provide floor balance. The Mavericks reportedly expressed interest in a Durant trade in February.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is the player every team seems to be hoping for. The Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets have all specifically been linked to the two-time NBA MVP. His skillset won’t fit flush with the Mavs’ two-big lineups because he’s a downhill scorer without much of an outside jumper. However, it’s not much different than the Minnesota Timberwolves’ conundrum, and they’re one game away from reaching the Western Conference Finals.
Furthermore, Antetokounmpo might convince Bucks free agent Brook Lopez to join him in Dallas. A sharpshooting center, Lopez has made 37.1 percent of his 3s over the past three seasons. The Mavericks could also allow Kai Jones, who shot 33.3 percent from 3 after they signed him, to lean into that part of his game.
© Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
