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Cooper Flagg Addresses Potential Fit With Dallas Mavericks

Flagg discussed potentially playing for the Mavericks, who have the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft.

Ryan Phillips

Duke forward Cooper Flagg talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine.
Duke forward Cooper Flagg talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. / David Banks-Imagn Images
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The Dallas Mavericks overcame incredible odds to win the 2025 NBA draft lottery and reportedly plan to select Duke's Cooper Flagg with the top selection. The soon-to-be No. 1 pick has given his thoughts on playing in Dallas.

While at the NBA draft combine, Flagg was asked about his fit with the Mavericks and claimed he hadn't given it too much thought yet.

"I haven't thought about it a ton yet," Flagg said. "Just trying to take this one day at a time. But for me, wherever I end up, wherever it is, I’m just going to try to be me to the best of my ability."

Later, he was asked a similar question and opened up a bit more, specifically shouting out fellow Duke product Dereck Lively II.

"As far as Dallas goes, they've got a lot of really good pieces," Flagg said. "D-Live, coming form Duke, that's pretty cool. So I think it would be a really cool opportunity."

Flagg has been projected as the top pick in this year's draft since before he even stepped on the court at Duke. Now he's about to realize that dream. Dallas will add him to a core that includes Lively, Anthony Davis and another fellow Duke alum Kyrie Irving.

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Ryan Phillips
RYAN PHILLIPS

Ryan Phillips is a senior writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He has worked in digital media since 2009, spending eight years at The Big Lead before joining SI in 2024. Phillips also co-hosts The Assembly Call Podcast about Indiana Hoosiers basketball and previously worked at Bleacher Report. He is a proud San Diego native and a graduate of Indiana University’s journalism program.

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