2025 draft thread: THE MAVS SELECT COOPER FLAGG

[WildArkieBoy]

If we didn't have the Grimes trade to confirm that Nico is just an abject idiot, that would be Occam's Razor going *into* the lottery.

The Grimes trade proved the Luka trade was not a fluke.  The odds are against Nico accidentally being that incompetent twice in a row.  I'm beginning to question whether or not he can actually sell shoes, although I'd gladly serve as a reference should he apply for a job at SAS Factory Outlet.

wab

[Chicagojk]

I can certainly see the Monte Ellis comparisons...both good and bad. The kid is a blur. Still only 18.

https://x.com/DraftExpress/status/1903452975940378784

I hate drafting for need, but here we are. I still don't know much but I think Fears, Jase Richardson and the french kid Traore would be strong candidates in our pick range. Mavs need to flood the guard posiiton.

[SleepingHero]

Liam McNheely from UConn is really impressing me right now. He’s a project but he is cool under pressure

[ThisIStheYear]

All I know is the Mavs better nail it in this draft and get a future all star. Despite Nico’s stupidity, the team has enough talent to be pretty good next year (not a contender, but solid middle of the pack) and then they have no good draft picks for a long time. It’s this offseason or bust for Nico.

[F Gump]

The draft this year is easy. Just draft Cooper Flagg. No muss, no fuss, you're all set.

[SleepingHero]

Clayton Jr. from Florida is currently expected to go in the Mid-50s in the 2nd round, but watching that UConn/Florida game you'd never know that. Dude became Steph Curry to close it out.

It's a testament to the depth of this draft class.

[chaparral]

Anyone interested in trading down in this draft for BRK's 19th and one of 26th or 27th picks?

[Chicagojk]

when Mavs gave away that early second round pick, I brought up a guy like Proctor for Duke could be a guy in that range. If he keeps shooting like this, he may be a first round pick.

Flagg is giving me major AD vibes when he was in Kentucky. The best player in the country but one who plays within a team on a talented team.

I am not sure if this is a deep draft. I think it will be interesting with these young first round fringe guys. If you are not guaranteed a first round pick, it may be better to stick around and make some NIL money. When you don't get drafted in the first round, most teams want to tie you to a two way and that is a tough grind to navigate as a young player who needs development.

[SleepingHero]

Anyone interested in trading down in this draft for BRK's 19th and one of 26th or 27th picks?

I'd need to see where we end up picking and who is around at the time we pick. 

If Nico is hypothetically trying to make this KD trade, we'd need to fill our roster with cheap dudes. Draft picks is a way to do that. And I'd be open to it if we say end up at 12th and there is not much difference between 12th and 19th in terms of the guys we're looking for. 

But lets say God does decide Mavs fans have been brutally punished enough and we end up with a top 4 pick this summer, I'd prefer we keep it and take the blessing.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

That freshman kid Derik Queen just hit the game winner for Maryland over Colorado State in the tournament. Great game btw. He’s a very talented big with great footwork and athleticism for his size.

[Chicagojk]

That freshman kid Derik Queen just hit the game winner for Maryland over Colorado State in the tournament. Great game btw.  He’s a very talented big with great footwork and athleticism for his size.

He is a very interesting evaluation for sure.   Super talented but also some clear warts.   I feel like Maryland could get him the ball at the free throw line every time down the court and he will either score, get fouled or get someone an open look.

[Chicagojk]

Giovony from ESPN latest ranking

Cooper Flagg, SF/PF, Duke | Age: 18.2

Dylan Harper, PG/SG, Rutgers | Age: 19

Ace Bailey, SG/SF, Rutgers | Age: 18.6

VJ Edgecombe, SG, Baylor | Age: 19.6

Tre Johnson, SG, Texas | Age: 19

Kasparas Jakucionis, PG, Illinois | Age: 18.8

Jeremiah Fears, PG, Oklahoma | Age: 18.4

Khaman Maluach, C, Duke | Age: 18.5

Kon Knueppel, SG/SF, Duke | Age: 19.6

Derik Queen, C, Maryland | Age: 20.2

Collin Murray-Boyles, PF/C, South Carolina | Age: 19.7

Egor Demin, PG/SG, BYU | Age: 19

Jase Richardson, PG/SG, Michigan St | Age: 19.4

Liam McNeeley, SG/SF, Connecticut | Age: 19.4

Will Riley, SG/SF, Illinois | Age: 19.1

Nolan Traore, PG, Saint Quentin | Age: 18.8

Joan Beringer, C, Cedevita Olimpija | Age: 18.3

Noa Essengue, PF, Ratiopharm Ulm | Age: 18.2

Danny Wolf, PF, Michigan | Age: 20.8

Carter Bryant, SF/PF, Arizona | Age: 19.3

Asa Newell, PF/C, Georgia | Age: 19.4

Hugo Gonzalez, SG/SF, Real Madrid | Age: 19.1

Ben Saraf, PG/SG, Ratiopharm Ulm | Age: 18.9

Thomas Sorber, C, Georgetown | Age: 19.2

Nique Clifford, SG, Colorado St | Age: 23.1

Alex Condon, C, Florida | Age: 20.6

Adou Thiero, PF, Arkansas | Age: 20.8

Yaxel Lendeborg, PF/C, UAB | Age: 22.4

Rasheer Fleming, PF, Saint Joseph's | Age: 20.7

Noah Penda, SF/PF, Le Mans | Age: 20.2

Drake Powell, SG/SF, North Carolina | Age: 19.5

Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton | Age: 23.1

Alex Karaban, PF, Connecticut | Age: 22.3

Maxime Raynaud, C, Stanford | Age: 21.9

Bennett Stirtz, PG/SG, Drake | Age: 21.4

Sergio De Larrea, PG/SG, Valencia | Age: 19.3

Alex Toohey, SF/PF, Sydney | Age: 20.8

Chaz Lanier, SG, Tennessee | Age: 23.2

Johni Broome, C, Auburn | Age: 22.6

Milos Uzan, PG, Houston | Age: 22.2

Isaiah Evans, SG/SF, Duke | Age: 19.2

JT Toppin, PF, Texas Tech | Age: 19.7

Labaron Philon, PG/SG, Alabama | Age: 19.3

Kam Jones, PG/SG, Marquette | Age: 23

Darrion Williams, SF/PF, Texas Tech | Age: 21.9

Tyrese Proctor, PG, Duke | Age: 20.9

Michael Ruzic, PF, Joventut | Age: 18.4

Boogie Fland, PG, Arkansas | Age: 18.7

Eric Dixon, C, Villanova | Age: 24.1

Miles Byrd, SG, San Diego St | Age: 20.5

[Chicagojk]

The Ringer's first draft update with rankings and analysis of the top 14 (as of now)

https://nbadraft.theringer.com/

[Chicagojk]

Probably no one has more to gain in the sweet 16 than Carter Bryant. Freshman who only averaged 5/6 points a game playing 20 minutes a night. If you look at his highlights, you would think he was a top 5 pick. He gets Duke and Cooper Flagg. With a good showing, he may rise to a potential lottery pick

https://x.com/League_Him/status/1904672130899517541

[Chicagojk]

Really interested to see this dude play Duke. He would probably be better served returning to college and having a bigger role next year. I need to watch more of him, but if I had a late lottery pick, he would definitely be a consideration.

Unfortunately for the Mavs, if they keep the pick or trade it, they desperately need guards and may need to pass on taking potentially better players.

https://youtu.be/cRi-e47u6n8?si=JyBe1XRKhbd1BQwR

[Nowitzki Way]

Its looking like the Mavs pick will be somewhere in the 12-14 range. Lets assume for now they make the pick. Who are we liking in that range?

Looking at the roster for next season I see a huge hole at ballhandler/lead guard. Kyrie hurt, Exum & Spencer free agents. You would think they will bring a veteran guard through trade or free agency. Hopefully that will allow them to take best player regardless of position. But we are so deep on Bigs. Lively, Gafford, Davis, Powell, maybe Kai Jones.

What if Malauch is there when they pick? Or Queen?

There will be a potential impact player in that range. Almost every year you can find a late lottery selection that has a better career than the top 5 guys. This year i think its Buzelis or Ware, then we got it with Lively in 2023. Jalen Williams, Mark Williams, and Jalen Duran in '22.

In 2021 picks 9 to 14 were a disaster. Then you had Kispert, Sengun, Trey Murphy, Jalen Johnson all go in the 15 to 20 range.

[Knutsen]

Really interested to see this dude play Duke.  He would probably be better served returning to college and having a bigger role next year.  I need to watch more of him, but if I had a late lottery pick, he would definitely be a consideration.

Unfortunately for the Mavs, if they keep the pick or trade it, they desperately need guards and may need to pass on taking potentially better players.

https://youtu.be/cRi-e47u6n8?si=JyBe1XRKhbd1BQwR

Not his finest performance watching the condensed game and the boxscore, right?

Meanwhile Flagg hat a whale of a game with 30 points, 6 boards, 7 assists and 3 blocks and only one turnover. 

But great that we have beaten the Magic and increased our chances to lose in the first round of the playoffs!

[ThisIStheYear]

Caleb Love was spectacular last night. He’s one of many good players the Mavs could have drafted if not for the ill advised Grimes trade. Stupidity.

[ThisIStheYear]

And watching Flagg last night, that dude is the real deal, a true prodigy in the making. I think he’ll have a better career than Wemby. He’s just so impressive. Not even Nico would pass on him.

[SleepingHero]

Danny Wolf is a good player. Michigan might end up losing this as I type this with 3 minutes remaining, but he gives me serious Kelley Olynyk/Bobby Portis vibes.

He is 7'0 feet tall, able to dribble, and most importantly he can hit a 3.