ESPN Star Calls for Mavericks to Trade Cooper Flagg Draft Rights

Former Chicago Bulls guard Jay Williams urges the Dallas Mavericks to trade away the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft

Feb 17, 2025; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg (2) stands on the court during a stoppage in play against the Virginia Cavaliers in the second half at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

The Dallas Mavericks had one of the most interesting NBA seasons ever, from trading away superstar guard Luka Doncic to dealing with a barrage of injuries, and now they have somehow landed the first-overall pick in the 2025 draft.

The Mavericks had just a 1.8% chance to jump into the top spot in Monday's lottery, but luck was on their side. The Mavericks now hold the rights to draft Duke superstar Cooper Flagg, who is noted as one of the top draft prospects in recent memory.

Many fans are already imagining a new trio of Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis, and Kyrie Irving, but what if that never happens?

A NEW TRIO IN DALLAS?

The Mavs have a chance to capture the Flagg with the No. 1 pick 🔥 pic.twitter.com/M12Y2xxmyQ

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 12, 2025

Of course, the Mavericks could add the 18-year-old phenom with the top pick, but they could also look to use it in a blockbuster trade instead. With the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo potentially nearing a split, the Mavericks could use the Cooper Flagg draft rights to acquire a proven superstar.

Apr 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) gets ready to play Indiana Pacers during game four of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Former Chicago Bulls guard and ESPN analyst Jay Williams suggested that the Mavericks should look to trade the first-overall pick for a star.

"For a guy like Cooper Flagg, I think he needs reps, I think he needs a lot of room to grow. I'm not sure there's championship aspirations right away for him. The basketball part of me loves the thought of AD, Cooper Flagg, Dereck Lively in the backcourt.

"When I look at the value, could you potentially package something like this to get a Giannis?" Williams asked. "Could you package in a one-on-one trade to get a Devin Booker? Could you get a Tyrese Maxey? If you're championship window is in two to three years, could you utilize that pick to get some assets to get somebody who is ready to contribute right now?"

.@RealJayWilliams details why the Mavericks should consider trading the top pick instead of drafting Cooper Flagg 👀 pic.twitter.com/VCZPejOlQM

— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) May 13, 2025

The Mavericks sit in a very interesting spot now that they have the top pick in June's draft, but after making such a crazy move at the deadline to trade away Luka Doncic, nobody knows what general manager Nico Harrison and company will do.