Celtics-Mavericks Trade Report Surfaces After Cooper Flagg News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | Last updated Jun 8, 2025 3:32 PM ET

The Boston Celtics recently made headlines when it was reported by Kevin O'Connor of Yahoo Sports that Duke star Cooper Flagg had a pre-draft interview with them. Widely projected to go No. 1 overall to the Dallas Mavericks, Flagg is not expected to be available when Boston picks at No. 28 in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Because of this, fans began speculating the Celtics could be eyeing a potential blockbuster trade with Dallas for the No. 1 overall pick. Shutting down this speculation last month, Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens confirmed the team met with Flagg, but said trading up for him is not possible ( via Zack Cox of Boston Herald).

Just weeks after this news that Boston did indeed meet with Flagg, but will not be swinging a deal for him, a new Celtics-Mavericks trade report has surfaced. According to Jay King of The Athletic, Boston and Dallas could very well be trade partners this summer, just not for Flagg.

"The Mavericks could make sense as a trade partner for Boston (more on that soon), but not for the top pick," King wrote on Thursday.

As far as the type of deal these two teams could make, King highlighted All-Defensive guard Jrue Holiday.

Jaylen Brown as top option, Jrue Holiday’s trade value, more: Celtics mailbag, Part 1 https://t.co/UKiYEaZaKE
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) June 5, 2025

"With Flagg set to join Anthony Davis in a deep frontcourt, the Mavericks have a chance to field a special defense," he wrote. "Adding Holiday would only turn that group into more of a problem for opponents. Good luck scoring on him with Davis and Flagg behind him."

King added, "Making the trade partner an even more logical fit, the Mavericks have a surplus in the frontcourt with Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively and P.J. Washington competing for minutes, plus some young players such as Max Christie who could appeal to Boston."

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

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