Dallas Mavericks Expected to Select Cooper Flagg in 2025 NBA Draft

Cooper Flagg is widely expected to be the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, selected by the Dallas Mavericks, who have focused exclusively on him following their unexpected lottery win. Flagg has drawn high praise for his basketball IQ and playmaking abilities, with Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd comparing him to Duke legend Grant Hill, and former NBA player Brian Scalabrine likening his mental game to that of Chris Paul and LeBron James. At Duke, Flagg averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks as a freshman, earning first-team All-American and Naismith National Player of the Year honors. Despite some concerns about his scoring translating to the NBA, Duke coach Jon Scheyer expressed confidence in Flagg's offensive skills, highlighting his shooting efficiency, ability to create shots, and unselfish nature. Flagg’s development has been marked by steady improvement and high-level exposure, including scrimmaging against the U.S. men's Olympic team and leading Duke to the NCAA Final Four. Overall, Flagg is viewed as one of the best prospects in a decade, expected to have a significant impact early in his NBA career.