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Once the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers are over, the American basketball world will have a break before the new season begins, and teams are already preparing to sign new stars through the 2025 Draft, so the Dallas Mavericks already have their first pick ready.
It was the Memphis Grizzlies who eliminated the Mavericks in the Play-In this season, thus taking away their dream of repeating the feat they achieved in 2024, the year in which they made it to the final stages to fight for an NBA ring against the Boston Celtics. However, the Texans were left just trying.
Who would be the Mavericks' first pick for the next edition of the NBA?
Dallas jumped up in the Draft Lottery for the first time in franchise history, moving from 11th to 1st. If ever there was a year to be so lucky, it's this one, with Duke star Cooper Flagg available as the top draft prospect.
Flagg has his official pre-draft visit to Dallas scheduled for June 17, but that hasn't stopped speculation that the Mavericks might look to trade the pick or select another player. But that has officially ceased.
Cooper Flagg would be ideal to relieve players like Klay Thompson
This should put to rest rumors of a Mavericks runaway. Flagg is the perfect prospect to help them win now and can propel them into the 2030s once Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and Klay Thompson begin to come of age.
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd has repeatedly said that he and the team are excited about the "Duke kid," referring to Flagg, and despite some speculation that the New York Knicks are interested in Kidd for their vacant position, it appears he will stay in Dallas to coach him.