During the prime of his career, Mavericks great Dirk Nowitzki often was unfairly compared to Larry Bird. Potentially, eventually, Flagg might be the much better Bird comp because of his two-way abilities; he’s more athletic than Bird and Nowitzki.

Flagg has been the obvious No. 1 pick all season, but Harrison's decision to trade the 25-year-old Dončić for a 31-year-old Anthony Davis suggested that Dallas was all-in on the present. Had that been the case, Dallas could have offered Flagg for a number of veteran All-Stars, most notably Giannis Antetokounmpo should he become available.

As MacMahon noted, "Sources told ESPN that Patrick Dumont, who just finished his first year as the Mavs' governor, considers the opportunity to be in position to draft a generational talent like Flagg a 'gift.' While Dumont has given Harrison great leeway to run basketball operations, the governor has final decision on all personnel matters."

Kurt Helin, Raphielle Johnson and Noah Rubin wrote up their picks for the 2025 NBA Draft after the Mavericks won the draft lottery on Monday night.

In the wake of the lottery results, former NBA player and two-time champion with the Lakers, Mychal Thompson, took to social media to comment on the situation. Thompson, whose son Klay currently plays for the Mavericks, predicted Dallas will trade Flagg to LA in five years.

A day after the 2025 NBA draft lottery, the top prospects in the class showed off Tuesday in front of talent evaluators at the combine in Chicago.

The Mavericks plan to select Cooper Flagg and will not entertain the possibility of trading away the No. 1 overall draft pick for a proven superstar, sources told ESPN.

Dallas Mavericks fans have spent the last few months in something akin to open rebellion against the team’s front office after franchise icon Luka Dončić was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Cooper Flagg showed brilliant flashes at the NBA Draft Combine on Tuesday as the former Blue Devil is poised to become the No. 1 overall pick in June's draft.