Dallas Basketball

Mavericks trade No. 1 pick in shocking proposal to land $175 million superstar

The Dallas Mavericks have the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, but that could be used as a trade chip.
Jeremy Brener|
Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg walks off the court after losing to the Houston Cougars.
Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg walks off the court after losing to the Houston Cougars. | Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

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Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, but that doesn't mean they will keep the selection.

Bleacher Report writer Dan Favale suggested a trade that would have the Mavs trade the top selection to the Milwaukee Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Here's a look at the full deal:

Dallas Mavericks Receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Milwaukee Bucks Receive: Max Christie, Daniel Gafford, Jordan Hawkins, Caleb Martin, Kelly Olynyk, 2025 No. 1 overall pick, 2026 first-round pick (their own, via New Orleans), 2027 first-round pick (their own, via New Orleans' swap rights)

New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Dereck Lively II, 2031 first-round pick (via Dallas)

READ MORE: The financial implications of Mavericks winning the first pick in 2025 NBA Draft

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo dunks against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo dunks against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half. | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Giannis to the Mavs?

"Yes, the cost is high. But Cooper Flagg is, for now, a theory. Giannis is the real deal—no worse than a top-five NBA player who, at 30, provides you with a championship-contention lifeline for the next three or more years," Favale wrote.

"Flagg is also most valuable to franchises hitting the reset button. The Mavs, at the moment, aren't doing that. Losing Lively stings, but he's somewhat redundant with Giannis and Davis, the latter of whom would need to play more center. Dallas would be without a backup big while sending out Gafford, but whatever. You can approximate second-string center play on the cheap.

"Offense will be a concern while Kyrie Irving recovers from his ACL injury. The Mavs lose a floor-spacer in Thompson and a key developmental prospect in Christie. But when you view this through the lens of cornerstone assets only, Dallas is effectively turning Luka, Lively, its 2025 pick and its 2031 pick into Giannis, AD and the Lakers' 2029 first-rounder."

It's a deal that is very hard to imagine, but Dallas will explore all options for the top pick, and if Antetokounmpo is on the block, that's something the Mavs have to consider.

READ MORE: Jason Kidd reacts to Mavericks landing first pick in 2025 NBA Draft

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several On SI sites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid and resides in Central Florida. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

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