Mavericks Make NBA Draft Announcement Amid Cooper Flagg Speculation

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Cole Sullivan | Last updated Jun 13, 2025 2:18 PM ET

The Dallas Mavericks shocked the basketball world when they landed the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft lottery, despite having just a 1.8% chance.

Now, just months after the unexpected trade of Luka Doncic, the Mavericks hold the top pick and the opportunity to select Duke Blue Devils star freshman Cooper Flagg.

All signs continue to point toward Flagg being the top selection, and nothing has shifted on that front. Dallas appears poised to draft Flagg and pair him with a new-look core that includes Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, and fellow Duke alumni Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively.

On Friday, less than two weeks ahead of the June 25 draft — which falls on a Wednesday — the Mavericks made a major announcement regarding their draft night plans.

Dallas will host a 2025 NBA Draft party at American Airlines Center, featuring franchise legends Rolando Blackman, Nick Van Exel, Josh Howard, and 1981 No. 1 overall pick Mark Aguirre.

The event will also include a special appearance by Dallas Wings star and 2025 WNBA No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers, as the Mavericks prepare to make what many expect will be the announcement of Cooper Flagg as the next face of their franchise.

The #Mavs will host their 2025 NBA Draft party at American Airlines Center on June 25.

Mavs legends Rolando Blackman, Nick Van Exel, Josh Howard and 1981 No. 1 pick Mark Aguirre, along with #Wings star rookie Paige Bueckers will be in attendance. pic.twitter.com/15o98fbgUV
— Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) June 13, 2025

Mavericks GM Nico Harrison faced significant backlash after trading Luka Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, as Dončić had long been seen as the face of the franchise.

That said, the opportunity to select Cooper Flagg could be the move that redeems it all — if Flagg lives up to expectations at the pro level. Widely regarded for his elite two-way ability, Flagg has the tools to become a franchise cornerstone on both ends of the floor.

During his freshman season at Duke, Flagg led the team in every major statistical category, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game, while shooting 48.1% from the field, 38.5% from three-point range, and 84.0% from the free-throw line.

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

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