Jun 25, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Cooper Flagg poses with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as first overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Derik Queen, NBA Players React to Cooper Flagg's Recent Post

Originally posted on New Orleans Pelicans on SI
By Logan Struck | Last updated Jun 27, 2025 11:09 AM ET

The Dallas Mavericks lucked out in the 2025 NBA Draft lottery by jumping up to land the first overall pick, effectively winning the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes. On Wednesday night, it became official. With the first pick in the draft, the Mavericks unsurprisingly selected the 18-year-old out of Duke.

Flagg is one of the most polished 18-year-olds the NBA has ever seen, being noted as one of the best offensive and defensive players in this year's class. The Mavericks have certainly found their new franchise cornerstone after trading away Luka Doncic in February.

Cooper Flagg is one of the youngest to ever join the NBA pic.twitter.com/5HQ2eAx1XF
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 26, 2025

After officially entering the NBA, Flagg shared a post on Instagram with a short one-word caption to express his gratitude.

"Blessed," Cooper Flagg posted among a handful of pictures from the 2025 NBA Draft.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cooper Flagg (@cooper_flagg)

The Pelicans completed a trade with the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night to move up to pick 13 and select Derik Queen, a 20-year-old, 6-foot-10, skilled big man. How Queen will translate to the next level is a concern, but the talent at his size is undeniable.

It will be a treat when Flagg matches up against his former high school teammates, three of whom got drafted in the first round, including Queen to New Orleans.

This article first appeared on New Orleans Pelicans on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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