Heat Are the Biggest Losers Of the Cooper Flagg Sweepstakes

Instead, the Mavericks, who finished 39-43 and traded Luka Dončić midseason, defied 1.8% odds to land Flagg. The Heat, meanwhile, hold the No. 20 selection from the Golden State Warriors via the Jimmy Butler trade, a stark drop from potential franchise-altering stakes.

Flagg, the Naismith Men's College Player of the Year, is hailed as a two-way cornerstone. His defensive prowess and evolving offense could have paired with Bam Adebayo to form one of the league’s most formidable frontcourts. Instead, Miami faces a future anchored by Adebayo and Tyler Herro, a duo yet to escape the Eastern Conference’s middle tier.

The Mavericks, rebuilding after dealing Dončić, accelerate their timeline with Flagg, while Miami’s late-first-round options include Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. or Georgetown center Thomas Sorber.

History amplifies the sting. The Heat have never held the No. 1 pick in 37 seasons and dropped spots in 11 prior lottery trips. This year’s outcome follows a 55-point playoff loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the worst in franchise history.

But Miami’s front office rarely dwells. The No. 20 pick could yield a rotational piece, yet Flagg’s shadow looms. For a team built on calculated risks, this loss, born from its own refusal to tank, might linger the longest.