Mavericks Draft Cooper Flagg First Overall in 2025

The Dallas Mavericks selected Cooper Flagg as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, recognizing him as one of the most versatile American prospects since Anthony Davis after his stellar season at Duke. Flagg joins a newly configured Mavericks roster that includes Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, and Kyrie Irving following Luka Doncic’s trade. Head coach Jason Kidd plans to immediately test Flagg by assigning him major ball-handling responsibilities, including a possible start at point guard in the Summer League opener against the Lakers. Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki, despite recent strains with the organization, publicly endorsed Flagg, emphasizing Dallas's excitement for his arrival. Flagg’s skill set and competitive drive have drawn comparisons to Scottie Pippen, fueling optimism that he can help transform the team into a defense-oriented contender. Both the franchise and its fanbase are hopeful that Flagg's addition will mark a new chapter after a challenging previous season.