In a surprising turn of events, the Dallas Mavericks have won the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
They only had a 1.8 percent chance to win the No.1 pick, and they rose to the top four after the Portland Trail Blazers fell outside of the top 10.
All indications suggest the Mavericks are poised to select Duke forward Cooper Flagg with the potential No. 1 overall pick.
Dallas, once heavily criticized for parting ways with Luka Doncic, now finds itself in position to land another generational prospect. With Flagg on the board, the franchise has flexibility—whether to keep the pick or use it as leverage in a high-value deal. Either way, the Mavericks are back in the mix and looking ahead with renewed optimism.
Flagg is coming off a remarkable freshman campaign, posting averages of 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 48.1 percent from the floor and 38.5 percent from three.
His year at Duke ranks among the most decorated in recent memory. He earned accolades such as AP Player of the Year, consensus First-Team All-American, and a host of others, including the Lute Olson and Julius Erving Awards. He also swept major conference honors, including ACC Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and All-Defensive team honors, solidifying his status as one of the most polished one-and-done prospects in college basketball history.
For the first time in franchise history, the Mavericks have secured the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft Lottery. The outcome shocked many—not only because of the odds—but also due to the context surrounding it.
Just months ago, the Mavericks made the highly controversial decision to trade Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, a move that drew heavy criticism and raised serious doubts about the direction of the team under general manager Nico Harrison.
That move was widely panned as reckless at the time, but fate may have swung in Dallas’ favor. With the top pick now in hand, the Mavericks are in position to select a potential franchise cornerstone in Cooper Flagg, which could mark a major turning point—if they choose to hold onto the selection.
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