{"id":139491,"date":"2025-05-14T05:45:16","date_gmt":"2025-05-14T09:45:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=139491"},"modified":"2025-05-14T05:45:16","modified_gmt":"2025-05-14T09:45:16","slug":"cooper-flagg-projected-no-1-pick-thrilled-play-mavericks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/05\/14\/cooper-flagg-projected-no-1-pick-thrilled-play-mavericks\/","title":{"rendered":"Projected No. 1 Pick \u2018Thrilled\u2019 To Play For Mavericks"},"content":{"rendered":"

The shock of Monday night\u2019s lottery results probably hasn\u2019t completely worn off for everybody. After all, it\u2019s 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<\/a> for 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis<\/a> adds to the improbability.<\/p>\n

Yet, now that the dust has settled, it\u2019s time to start thinking about what\u2019s ahead for Dallas.<\/p>\n

Projected No. 1 Pick Cooper Flagg \u2018Thrilled\u2019 To Play For Mavericks<\/h2>\n

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<\/a> gave Flagg a concise scouting report when he said: \u201cHe can hoop, he can play<\/a>.\u201d (h\/t On SI\u2019s Jayden Armant)<\/p>\n

According to ESPN\u2019s Jonathan Givony, his \u201ccamp realized how fortunate he is<\/a> 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

To be clear, the Mavericks don\u2019t really<\/em> have a void at small forward. In 2024-25, small forward Naji Marshall<\/a> 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\u2019s on an affordable contract through 2027.<\/p>\n

The Mavericks have a few other notable options at small forward as well. Its neither Klay Thompson<\/a>, PJ Washington<\/a>, nor Max Christie<\/a>\u2019s primary position. Nevertheless, they can play it in a pinch.<\/p>\n

Flagg just has an advantage over each of those aforementioned players in one way or another.<\/p>\n

The Best Option<\/h3>\n

At approximately 6-foot-8 and 220 pounds, Flagg\u2019s a well-rounded forward with star potential.<\/p>\n

\"\"
May 13, 2025; Chicago, Il, USA; Cooper Flagg (51) participates in the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Due to an up-and-down start to the Maine product\u2019s 2024-25 campaign, Rutgers guard Dylan Harper emerged as a serious contender<\/a> for the No. 1 spot. However, Flagg eventually separated himself by improving his outside efficiency and growing more comfortable as a shot-creator<\/a>. To that point, though Harper is also quite versatile and a supremely confident scorer, Flagg has better physical tools and defensive upside.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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18 year old Cooper Flagg explosive athleticism pic.twitter.com\/aPcw1vu5Qr<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Pitless (@pitlessball) April 8, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n