Dallas Mavericks Add Top Pick Cooper Flagg, Retain Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis for 2025 Season

Cooper Flagg, the 18-year-old Duke phenom and 2025 NBA Draft's first overall pick, has joined the Dallas Mavericks amidst high expectations to help lead the team back to the NBA Finals and establish his legacy among the league's greats. Analysts highlight Flagg's extraordinary freshman season at Duke, comparing his advanced metrics to legends like Zion Williamson and Anthony Davis, and praise his versatile skills as a shooter, defender, and playmaker. His arrival complements the Mavericks' deep frontline, featuring veterans like Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, the latter of whom recently inked a three-year deal with Dallas despite recovering from a torn ACL. Flagg's early bond with Irving, both former Duke stars and No. 1 picks, signals promising team chemistry. Meanwhile, former Texas A&M standout Zhuric Phelps has secured a Summer League deal with Dallas, potentially reinforcing the team's backcourt as the Mavericks build around Flagg. The Mavericks' roster composition offers Flagg a unique opportunity to develop with limited individual criticism, as veteran leaders carry substantial expectations for team success.