Cooper Flagg Trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo Floated by Insider for Mavericks-Bucks

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dibyendu Mondal | Last updated May 13, 2025 9:21 AM ET

Against just a 1.8% chance, the Dallas Mavericks clinched the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery, marking the first time the franchise has ever won the lottery.

They are now assured to select Cooper Flagg, something even Patrick Mahomes got excited about. He posted, "OMGGGGG!! Let’s goo!!!!!" on X.

But just after the announcement, NBA Insider Kevin O'Connor floated a mid-boggling idea. He feels that the Mavericks could trade the No. 1 pick for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

"Can you imagine if they traded number one for Giannis now? Can you imagine?" O'Connor questioned the chat. "Is Dallas a team that would trade the number one pick for Giannis Antetokounmpo?"

"Giannis, AD, front court. ... Nico was obsessed with trying to win a title and prove himself right. Could he be crazy enough to trade number one for Giannis?"

"I say yes. I say yes that he is crazy enough to do it……” He added.

Back in February 2025, the Mavericks made an unthinkable trade, sending Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a future first-round pick.

1.8% chance. #MFFL pic.twitter.com/QHqjP4DlR9
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) May 13, 2025

This surprise move generated major disagreement from the fans. If something like what O'Connor said happens, it's sure to cause a huge uproar.

“I didn’t try to think about it too much,” Flagg said on the ESPN broadcast of the lottery about what it’ll likely mean for his immediate future. “It was out of my control.”

Scouts regard him as a generational prospect. Someone who can make an immediate impact upon arrival. While such a trade is highly unlikely, the Mavericks will undoubtedly need to reconstruct their roster.

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

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