Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) and forward Maliq Brown (6) react after a play against the Houston Cougars during the second half in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Former All-Star Thinks Dallas Mavericks Should Snub Cooper Flagg In NBA Draft

Originally posted on Fastbreak on SI | By Ben Stinar | Last updated May 20, 2025 2:47 PM ET

The 2025 NBA Draft is seen as one of the most talented collections of college prospects in several years.

Cooper Flagg (out of Duke) will more than likely be the first pick by the Dallas Mavericks.

Via Underdog NBA: "Mavs potential 2025-26 starting lineup:

Kyrie Irving (player option; injured)
Klay Thompson
Cooper Flagg
Anthony Davis
Dereck Lively II

Irving could return from an ACL injury in January."

Mavs potential 2025-26 starting lineup:

Kyrie Irving (player option; injured)
Klay Thompson
Cooper Flagg
Anthony Davis
Dereck Lively II

Irving could return from an ACL injury in January.
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) May 12, 2025

That said, former NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins thinks the Mavs should pass up on Flagg for former Rutgers star Ace Bailey.

Cousins (via FanDuel TV's Run It Back): "To me, Ace Bailey is the number one pick... I think he's the closest thing we've seen to a Tracy McGrady... I don't see Nico, there's no way he keeps that pick... Everything he's said on record as far as winning a championship it just doesn't logically make sense."

Boogie Cousins would pick Ace Bailey over Cooper Flagg with the #1 pick in the NBA Draft

"He's the closest thing we've seen to Tracy McGrady."@boogiecousins | @GeorgesNiang20 | @MichelleDBeadle | @TeamLou23 | @ChandlerParsons pic.twitter.com/G9yEyrDxpY
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) May 20, 2025

It's been reported that the Mavs do plan on keeping the pick, so they would have to decide between Flagg or Bailey.

On the other hand, the pick holds a lot of trade value (the Mavs could try to land a player such as Giannis Antetokounmpo).

Via ESPN's Tim MacMahon on May 13: "Sources: Yes, the Mavericks plan to draft Cooper Flagg.

No, Mavs governor Patrick Dumont will not look a gift horse in the mouth and consider trading the No. 1 overall pick."

Sources: Yes, the Mavericks plan to draft Cooper Flagg.

No, Mavs governor Patrick Dumont will not look a gift horse in the mouth and consider trading the No. 1 overall pick. https://t.co/q3cORCt8tw
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) May 13, 2025

The Mavs are coming off a season where they lost to the Memphis Grizzlies in the play-in tournament.

This article first appeared on Fastbreak on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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