Dallas Mavericks Plan to Retain 2025 No.1 Pick Cooper Flagg Amid Celtics Interest

The 2025 NBA Draft has drawn significant attention, with Cooper Flagg emerging as the consensus top prospect and the Dallas Mavericks securing the first overall pick despite long odds. While the Mavericks have publicly stated their intent to keep Flagg, speculation persists about potential trades, especially involving the Boston Celtics, who recently lost star Jayson Tatum to a ruptured Achilles and are exploring options to rebuild. The Celtics have reportedly interviewed Flagg and other prospects at the NBA Draft Combine, fueling rumors of a possible trade, though insiders like Kevin O’Connor and Marc Stein suggest Dallas is unlikely to part with the pick, even for a superstar like Giannis Antetokounmpo. Meanwhile, the Mavericks face scrutiny after trading Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis, but they appear committed to using their top pick to offset financial setbacks and build around new talent like Flagg. Concurrently, AJ Dybantsa, another top prospect with a high NIL value, has committed to BYU and is projected as a lottery pick for the 2026 NBA Draft, with some analysts linking him to the Celtics as they prepare for the future post-Tatum. Overall, both franchises are navigating pivotal decisions amid fan speculation and strategic planning for upcoming seasons.