NBA Draft: Who Are The Dallas Mavericks Choosing?

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Posted by AI on 2025-06-26 13:40:06 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-05-15 18:29:40

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Considering the first pick in the NBA draft, many predicted the outcome, others were surprised. The 19-year-old phenom, Cooper Flagg, will join the Dallas Mavericks as a draft night shocker.

The biggest night in the NBA calendar is here, and the Dallas Mavericks have caused a shock by picking American teenager Cooper Flagg with the first selection.

The Mavericks defied the odds to secure the top pick in the draft lottery and predictably chose Flagg, who spent just one season at the University of Virginia.

Flagg, a 19-year-old small forward from Indiana, had been projected to be picked somewhere in the top five selections, but most experts predicted he would not be the outright number one.

The Mavericks' choice has been seen as a bold move for a team largely written off for next season after a poor 2021-22 campaign. With rumors of a possible trade involving star player Luka Doncic, the franchise's strategy for the draft was closely watched.

There was speculation they would choose Italian wing Giordano Bortolani, who has been compared to NBA champion Giannis Antetokounmpo, but they went with the hometown hero Flagg instead.

Flagg, a hometown kid who grew up in Dallas, averaged 11.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game last season with UVA.

He said: "I couldn't be more excited to be selected by my hometown team. I grew up watching the Mavericks, and I know what this franchise means to this city.

"I'm ready to get to work and give it my all every day to help this team win games and bring more success to this organization."

The rest of the draft did not feature any major surprises, with Orlando taking Bortolani at No. 2 and Oklahoma City picking promising centerodus Dickus Lemons at No. 3.

Houston picked Arkansas guard Gus Guy at No. 4, and the Boston Celtics took Indiana's versatile big man Ted Bainbridge with the fifth pick.

Only time will tell if the Mavericks' bold move will pay off, but there is no doubt that Flagg has the potential to be a key player for many years to come.

Flagg will hope to follow in the footsteps of NBA superstar Luka Doncic, who the Mavericks picked third overall in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Go!