With the Dallas Mavericks winning the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft last night, the Mavericks had the choice to either trade the pick, or keep it and use it to draft generational prospect Cooper Flagg. It looks like the choice has been made.
According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, the Mavericks have elected to keep their pick, and plan on taking Flagg with it. This would give the team a future, as well as contribute to their “win now” aspirations.
“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,” MacMahon revealed.
So, it seems like it was more of a decision by ownership than GM Nico Harrison. Harrison, who traded away the Mavs’ old superstar in Luka Doncic at the trade deadline, has made the front office and ownership receive an insane amount of backlash. This makes it seem like ownership is trying to buy back goodwill, and overrode whatever Harrison wanted to do.
Analysts also wanted the Mavs to trade the pick, so they could maximize their championship window. However, taking Flagg would still do that, and give them a future to build around.
Overall, this was probably the best choice. The Mavs now have an identity post-Doncic, and hopefully, they cling onto it instead of giving it away once again.
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