There’s the luck of the Irish and there’s whatever the Dallas Mavericks seemed to have on May 12, 2025.
The Mavs have defied the odds and earned the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft right to select Cooper Flagg in the 2025 NBA Draft. Surprises are nothing new in the NBA Lottery, with Dallas’ 1.8 percent chances not even the lowest ever to win the lottery. Considering their circumstances, though, it may very well be the case.
The Mavs made the most mind-boggling trade in sports when they decided to send Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers behind the mantra of “defense wins championships”. Prior to the NBA Draft Lottery, certified Luka hater Nico Harrison could hardly defend how he took away the heart and soul of Dallas in the post-Dirk Nowitzki era. And yet, getting the first overall pick has given Harrison the second chance he never really deserved.
Harrison aside, this is the best news Mavs fans could have asked for after what has been a rollercoaster of a season. They lost their young star, while their other star in Kyrie Irving will be out until 2026 as he recovers from surgery to repair a torn left ACL. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis is a good player, but is 60 games in a season too much to ask from him at this point? All that uncertainty can be put aside at the moment thanks to the hope that Flagg could bring.
Flagg is by-and-large the best prospect in this draft, with his two-way abilities a perfect fit with Dallas. Whether he becomes a superstar or an elite second option, the 18-year old can do a little bit over everything even when his shot isn’t falling. Barring any health issues, the former Duke Blue Devil battles through injuries and has generally had a clean bill of health. That Flagg remains fit despite years of American food should make Harrison happy too.
It’s rare that a top pick enters a team that can compete for a spot in the postseason immediately, but it should give Flagg an opportunity to play with some stakes involved. Although playing at Duke and for the US Select Team means he’s not afraid of the moment.
With the Dallas Mavericks winning the 2025 NBA Lottery, it feels like a slam dunk that Cooper Flagg will be heading to Dallas. It should somewhat erase the bitter taste of the Luka Doncic saga even if the trauma still remains.
Of course, the Mavs could feel that Flagg won’t be able to play defense to their standards and decide to pass on him, sending Dallas into a further downward spiral. Or they could include the first overall pick in a package for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
However, the choice is obvious and the Mavs better not mess this up because this is their last chance before the city turns on them for good. https://x.com/mavs_ffl/status/1922147042492571855?s=61
