Cooper Flagg's Top NBA Destination Could Shock the League

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Evan Massey | Last updated May 8, 2025 10:05 AM ET

The 2025 NBA draft is coming up quickly and at the top of the class is none other than Duke Blue Devils standout Cooper Flagg.

Flagg has been the expected No. 1 overall pick for months. He has officially declared for the draft and teams are now hoping for luck in the upcoming draft lottery to win the rights to select him.

At this point in time, there are four teams who have the best odds to land Flagg. In order, those teams are the Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, and New Orleans Pelicans. After those teams, there are 10 other picks who could jump up to No. 1.

While the four teams listed above have the best chances of drafting Flagg, they are not his best potential fit. There is one clear best fit that would be a perfect situation for him.

That team is none other than the Dallas Mavericks.

Right now, the Mavericks hold a 1.8% chance of getting the No. 1 overall pick. Nico Harrison and company could really use some luck and good news right about now.

During the 2024-25 NBA season, Dallas made the shocking decision to trade away Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. Winning the draft lottery and the rights to select Flagg would help them recover from that trade much quicker.

If this scenario happened, Flagg would form a big three with Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis. That trio would be a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference.

During the 2024-25 college basketball season at Duke, Flagg lived up to all of the hype. He averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.4 steals per game, while shooting 48.1% from the floor and 38.5% from 3-point range.

Being able to join a team ready to compete for the playoffs would be a huge win for Flagg. With Irving and Davis leading the way, the young forward wouldn't have to deal with much pressure either.

Even though the chances are extremely low that the Mavericks will have a chance to land Flagg, they are by far the best possible fit out of any option on the table.

Dallas will find out its fate when it comes to the NBA draft on Monday, May 12. The lottery is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET and will be aired on ESPN.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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