The Cooper Flagg Era Begins: Mavericks Set to Draft Teenage Sensation at No. 1
On June 17, the Dallas Mavericks will host a private workout with Cooper Flagg, the consensus top prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft. According to sources close to ESPN, this is more of a formality than a test—Dallas is already locked in. They’ve made their intentions crystal clear: Cooper Flagg is their man.
After weeks of speculation and trade rumors, the Mavericks have firmly shut the door on the idea of moving the No. 1 overall pick. In fact, Flagg is the only prospect they intend to meet with ahead of the draft. The message from Dallas is loud and clear—when NBA Commissioner Adam Silver steps up to the podium on June 25, Cooper Flagg’s name will be the first one called.
But how did we get here? How did a 17-year-old forward from Maine become the most coveted player in basketball—and the next face of a franchise still reeling from a blockbuster trade?
The Shocking Draft Lottery That Changed Everything
Before the NBA Draft Lottery, the Mavericks had just a 1.8% chance of securing the top pick. They weren’t even part of most draft projections at the top of the board. But fortune smiled on Dallas. The team vaulted ten spots in one of the most dramatic lottery jumps in NBA history, tying the record for the biggest leap ever. It was a once-in-a-generation stroke of luck.
For a franchise still processing the departure of Luka Doncic—who was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers just four months ago—this lottery win wasn’t just a stroke of good fortune; it was a lifeline.
The franchise desperately needed a new identity, a player they could build around, and someone who could re-ignite the passion of a fan base still heartbroken by Luka’s departure. In Cooper Flagg, they believe they’ve found exactly that.
Who Is Cooper Flagg? The Prodigy Everyone’s Talking About
Cooper Flagg isn’t your average draft prospect. At 6-foot-9 with elite athleticism, defensive instincts, and a polished offensive game, he’s been a household name among basketball circles for years. He first exploded onto the national radar in high school with his jaw-dropping performances and uncanny basketball IQ. Then came the decision that changed everything: Flagg chose to reclassify, graduating early and entering college at just 17.
That move didn’t just place him ahead of schedule—it thrust him into the national spotlight.
He committed to Duke and immediately became the centerpiece of a powerhouse squad. And despite sky-high expectations, he didn’t just meet them—he smashed them. Flagg averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game while leading the Blue Devils to a 35-4 record and a Final Four berth.
He swept nearly every national player of the year award. Analysts praised not just his skill but his maturity, leadership, and ability to impact every phase of the game. He was described as a “culture-changer”—a player who doesn’t just fit into a system but becomes the system.
The Mavericks’ Master Plan: A New Beginning
The Mavericks’ decision to focus exclusively on Flagg says everything about how they view him—not just as the best player available, but as a generational talent worth building around from day one.
Sources say Flagg has no plans to visit any other team, and both sides are aligned: he’s going to be a Maverick. There’s no drama, no smokescreen, and no mystery. Barring some cataclysmic turn of events, Flagg will be walking across the stage in Brooklyn as the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, donning a Mavericks hat and shaking Adam Silver’s hand.
This is more than just a pick. It’s a turning point.
Four months ago, Dallas made the boldest move in franchise history by trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. It was a decision that sent shockwaves across the league and drew immediate outrage from fans. How do you trade a player of Luka’s caliber? And more importantly, who replaces him?
The answer, it turns out, was already on the way. Cooper Flagg.
A Fresh Core and a New Direction
Flagg won’t be alone in Dallas. The Mavericks have several veteran players on the roster, and perhaps most significantly, they’re currently in the middle of contract talks with All-Star guard Kyrie Irving, who holds a $43.9 million player option for the 2025-26 season.
While Kyrie’s future remains uncertain, team sources say that adding Flagg to the roster could influence his decision to stay. Pairing a veteran shot creator like Kyrie with a high-motor, high-IQ player like Flagg could offer Dallas a new offensive dimension—especially in a Western Conference that’s only getting tougher.
Regardless of Irving’s decision, Flagg is expected to step into a major role right away. He’s not being drafted to ride the bench. The Mavericks are counting on him to contribute from day one, both as a player and as a leader in the locker room.
There’s optimism in the front office that Flagg’s maturity and work ethic will be contagious—setting a new tone and culture for the next era of Mavericks basketball.
More Than a Player: A Franchise Cornerstone
What makes Flagg special isn’t just the stats or the highlights. It’s the intangibles. Coaches rave about his willingness to learn, his competitive drive, and his team-first mentality. He’s the kind of player who elevates everyone around him.
That’s precisely what the Mavericks need right now—a fresh identity and a player who can inspire belief, both inside the locker room and in the stands.
Flagg’s arrival represents a full-circle moment for a franchise in transition. From the elation of drafting Luka, to the heartbreak of his departure, and now, to the hope and excitement of welcoming a new superstar.
Fans who felt blindsided by Luka’s exit now have something to rally around—a new hero, a new face, and perhaps, a new future to believe in.
Source: Sources: Mavericks to work out Cooper Flagg on June 17
What’s Next: Draft Day and Beyond
All eyes now turn to June 25–26, when the NBA Draft will take place at the Barclays Center in New York. Barring any last-minute changes (which sources say are extremely unlikely), Cooper Flagg will be selected first overall by the Dallas Mavericks.
But in many ways, the real story begins after that.
How will Flagg adapt to the NBA? Can he meet the towering expectations placed on his shoulders? Will the Mavericks make additional roster moves to complement their new star?
These are the questions that will shape the 2025-26 season and beyond. But for now, the Mavericks have every reason to celebrate. In a year where the franchise faced enormous uncertainty, they’ve landed the top prospect in the draft—a player who could define the next decade of Dallas basketball.
And in Cooper Flagg, they aren’t just getting a great player. They’re getting a leader. A culture-builder. And maybe, just maybe, a future legend.
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