Ever since the ping pong balls fell their way, the Dallas Mavericks were expected to draft Duke freshman forward Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
At 6-foot-8 and 221 pounds, the Maine Event is all but a prototypical forward.
An above-average point-of-attack defender, he should be expected to switch 1-4. His length and athleticism comes in handy not just in this regard but when accentuating his never-give-up mentality, be it in the form of a blocked shot or a rebound. He’s more of a work in progress at the offensive end. His potential is seemingly boundless. However, his playmaking and play-finishing are ahead of his off-the-dribble shot-making.
Mavs Begin New Era With Maine Event
Just a few months ago, the idea that Flagg would be playing for the Mavs was unfathomable. Dallas wasn’t exactly playing up to their capabilities. Yet, with a Big 3 of Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson, the feeling was that they would be back in the hunt sooner or later.
Then everything changed. In the twist of the decade, the Mavs traded Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. Soon after, it rained fire and brimstone. There were calls for Mavs general manager Nico Harrison’s head. To make matters worse, Anthony Davis –the main player they received in the trade for Doncic –was injured in his team debut. Irving was ruled out for the season soon after.
Almost everything that could go wrong did, until the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery.
Despite a 1.8 percent chance of landing the top pick, Dallas received the mercy of the basketball gods. Now, they embark on a new era, with Flagg set to be a cornerstone for the foreseeable future.
© Brad Penner-Imagn Images
