2025 draft thread: THE MAVS SELECT COOPER FLAGG

[Knutsen]

How I feel about the draft lottery...

Our cumulative chance of winning the first pick is at around 70 percent, when calculating all 16 lotteries we took part in. So it‘s very probable that we’ll get the first pick - welcome to Dallas, Cooper!

[SleepingHero]

I am looking at this as an outsider, and I am walking on an eggshell for this topic (and bear in mind that I never stepped a foot in the US) but isn't the first "white American first overall pick" since Kent Benson (1977 draft) is worthy a lot of hype from media & marketing perspective? Potentially first one that actually gets "super star" status since the 80's (or 90's depending on how you rate Stockton) too. 

I mean, it feels that with Flagg his marketing goes beyond his basketball abilities (which are amazing btw) assuming he lives up to the hype.

Also, it isn't like Nico and the Adelsons are getting praise from the Luka trade. They know they fucked up and trading Flagg is a double down on this.

Anyway, we aren't getting the first overall pick so it doesn't matter.

Cooper is the most hyped American prospect since Zion, and even then he's even greater hype given he has more skill than athleticism (even if he has a boatload of both).

There have been attempts on Twitter to paint Nico as someone with a bias against white players. Every single person he's traded and signed has had the same general theme.

While I don't really think there is much truth to these connections made, there is a little birdy at the back of brain whispering to me that even if the Mavs somehow got gifted the 1st pick (which this front office honestly does not deserve), they wouldn't pick Flagg.

[david75090]

Basketball appears to be color-blind. If you can play, you can play. Ball is ball. It's hard to hide a player who can play. No one is worried about color. Hope it's not the case that anyone in any kind of authority is factoring in skin-tone in player analysis.

[Knutsen]

Basketball appears to be color-blind. If you can play, you can play. Ball is ball. It's hard to hide a player who can play. No one is worried about color. Hope it's not the case that anyone in any kind of authority is factoring in skin-tone in player analysis.

Definitely not from a sporting perspective. But from a pure marketing standpoint I fear it could matter a lot, similar to foreign NBA players having a different marketability in their home countries than anybody else. So if Cooper becomes the first white American top 10 player or at least perennial allstar in forever he will have a clear USP, wouldn’t he?

[david75090]

Definitely not from a sporting perspective. But from a pure marketing standpoint I fear it could matter a lot, similar to foreign NBA players having a different marketability in their home countries than anybody else. So if Cooper becomes the first white American top 10 player or at least perennial allstar in forever he will have a clear USP, wouldn’t he?

From a marketing standpoint, a white American basketball star would have quite a bit of value, initially, to a certain demographic. On the court, it wouldn't matter. Best player available. Teams over the years have allowed all manner of things to sway their judgements. I've had certain people say "NCAA players from a major conference" as the only players they'd consider if they were GM. That was pre-Dirk. Even at that, after all Dirk did, that person considered Dirk to be the exception to the rule. That person has passed on to the next plane of existence, but I bet he'd still feel that way. Those folks are out there. Is your goal to put the best team on the floor, or is your goal something else? Then, you GM to your goals, whatever they are.

[khaled1987]

From a marketing standpoint, a white American basketball star would have quite a bit of value, initially, to a certain demographic. On the court, it wouldn't matter. Best player available. Teams over the years have allowed all manner of things to sway their judgements. I've had certain people say "NCAA players from a major conference" as the only players they'd consider if they were GM. That was pre-Dirk. Even at that, after all Dirk did, that person considered Dirk to be the exception to the rule. That person has passed on to the next plane of existence, but I bet he'd still feel that way. Those folks are out there. Is your goal to put the best team on the floor, or is your goal something else? Then, you GM to your goals, whatever they are.

People has their bias, that sometimes they fail to even acknowledge. It isn't usually ill intended either. 
Also, owners cares about money, and money isn't always coming from winning. 

This is where the discussion at, some suggest Nico seems to have some bias, but even if that bias is real a player like Flagg is so marketable now, that no way the owner will let you pass on him, unless you are so established in your position like Danny Ainge when he traded a chance to get Fultz, for Tatum. 

This is the only case in the past 2 decades or so that a GM passed on a consensus first overall pick. 

Nico ain't Ainge, Dumont isn't Grousbeck.  Niether will risk a chance on Flagg if it magically happen.

PS: regarding Nico bias, it could be age, former relation or NCAA experience

[ThisIStheYear]

Nobody said they were your problem. I merely stated that OKC is getting more 1st round picks, to add to the till. The Mavs have changed the trajectory of their franchise forever if you ask me. It's hard to come back from that.

Agreed. It’s going to be hard to come back from what they’ve done. The Mavs have about a 2% chance of recovery. Flagg is a franchise player far better than any college player I’ve seen in recent memory. He has all strengths and no weakness as a player. If he ends up somewhere like San Antonio, the NBA is screwed.

[F Gump]

PS: regarding Nico bias, it could be age, former relation or NCAA experience

Nico's "bias" is that he's an arrogant dolt. 

He is very naive with people, has no negotiating skills, and has incredibly bad player evaluation skills - traits a GM needs badly -- yet he thinks he is an expert GM who needs no help. That makes him the dumbest of the dumb, the guy who is so stupid that he has no clue he's stupid. Other GMs can't wait to be the next in line to take advantage of his stupidity.

[hakeemfaan]

I don’t watch much of college basketball anymore until the tournament. Can someone tell me why Will Riley is not rated to go much higher than he currently is?

I see length, athleticism, ability to create his own shot, defense. Most importantly unlike many such guys who seem to come out these days he has the potential to be a solid shooter.

[michaeltex]

I keep seeing mocks that have DAL drafting a SF or PF with their pick. To me, this is so out of touch with team needs.

The front line is strong, even if they end up trading Gafford. (I'm hopeful Kai Jones will sign to backfill the position). To me there is definitely a need at PG. Kyrie is out until maybe 2026 and he's not really a point guard, especially at this point in his career and coming off an ACL tear. I really like BWill and think he will be a consistent contributor next season, but he's kind of a younger Kyrie right now.

That said, I'm hopeful DAL can get one of the top 2-3 point guards if they stay at 11. I've seen the Lithuanian kid out of Illinois, Jakucionis, mentioned. He's 6'5" and shot 45% overall/ 33% from 3pt line. 5.3 apg is pretty good and some of the write ups talk about his passing skills. Not the second coming of Luka, but maybe a candidate to better fill the role than Exum or Dinwiddie.

[F Gump]

I keep seeing mocks that have DAL drafting a SF or PF with their pick. To me, this is so out of touch with team needs.

The front line is strong, even if they end up trading Gafford. (I'm hopeful Kai Jones will sign to backfill the position). To me there is definitely a need at PG. Kyrie is out until maybe 2026 and he's not really a point guard, especially at this point in his career and coming off an ACL tear. I really like BWill and think he will be a consistent contributor next season, but he's kind of a younger Kyrie right now.

That said, I'm hopeful DAL can get one of the top 2-3 point guards if they stay at 11. I've seen the Lithuanian kid out of Illinois, Jakucionis, mentioned. He's 6'5" and shot 45% overall/ 33% from 3pt line. 5.3 apg is pretty good and some of the write ups talk about his passing skills. Not the second coming of Luka, but maybe a candidate to better fill the role than Exum or Dinwiddie.

You don't draft strictly for need. You look for a future star, above everything. Gotta realize that by the time a draft pick develops into a good NBA player, half your current roster may no longer be here.

Or to put that in a picture that's easy to follow, what would you have them do if they land pick 1 in the lottery? I doubt you would say, 'Ok, gotta trade down and get a PG, because we need one more than we need a F.' You take the best upside you can, hoping for one of those rare HOF guys, rather than someone to fill a backup PG hole this coming season.

[michaeltex]

You don't draft strictly for need. You look for a future star, above everything. Gotta realize that by the time a draft pick develops into a good NBA player, half your current roster may no longer be here.

Or you may have traded him for a bag of magic beans...

[Chicagojk]

I keep seeing mocks that have DAL drafting a SF or PF with their pick. To me, this is so out of touch with team needs.

The front line is strong, even if they end up trading Gafford. (I'm hopeful Kai Jones will sign to backfill the position). To me there is definitely a need at PG. Kyrie is out until maybe 2026 and he's not really a point guard, especially at this point in his career and coming off an ACL tear. I really like BWill and think he will be a consistent contributor next season, but he's kind of a younger Kyrie right now.

That said, I'm hopeful DAL can get one of the top 2-3 point guards if they stay at 11. I've seen the Lithuanian kid out of Illinois, Jakucionis, mentioned. He's 6'5" and shot 45% overall/ 33% from 3pt line. 5.3 apg is pretty good and some of the write ups talk about his passing skills. Not the second coming of Luka, but maybe a candidate to better fill the role than Exum or Dinwiddie.

I think Dallas needs creators.  With the limited assets they need to get a creator if they keep their pick. I hate not drafting the best player though.  Not sure there is a player at 11 who is ready to help a team win now.  They are so young.

I was thinking of a queen/lively pairing if Ad wasn’t here.  May not work and the mavs defensive approach probably not a fit but it could be fun.

[michaeltex]

I think Dallas needs creators.  With the limited assets they need to get a creator if they keep their pick. I hate not drafting the best player though.  Not sure there is a player at 11 who is ready to help a team win now.  They are so young.

I was thinking of a queen/lively pairing if Ad wasn’t here.  May not work and the mavs defensive approach probably not a fit but it could be fun.

Same page. Doesn't have to lead the team in scoring, but is good enough to keep defenses honest. Good handles to keep turnovers low. Good court vision for setting up others and keeping the ball moving rather than wasting 15 seconds trying to make something happen.

Can a rookie not named Luka do that? Maybe, but it's more of a need than another wing at this point.

[juanc]

The Mavs are jumping up the lottery and getting the number 2 pick. Harper is a stud. MARK MY WORDS!

My big board looks something like:
Flagg
Harper

Fears
Bailey
Edgecombe
Tre Johnson

Riley
Queen
Carter Bryant
Jakucionis
Murray Boyles
Essengue
Kon

Something like that. I'm super high on Fears. Think he'll be a stud and consider him moving in the same tier as Harper. Not really a fan of Maluach amd Asa Newell

Someth

[F Gump]

I have major question marks on both Harper and Bailey, who are both supposed to be top 5 picks. But something doesn't add up there - they were on the same team, but how can you have 2 supposed studs on the same team and not even have a winning record. or make the top 68 and get to the NCAA playoffs?

On Harper, he has lots of skill and size, and the pedigree (son of Ron Harper). But he lacks the super athleticism that the rest of his family has, and is thought to generally be a below-the-rim player (even though he's 6-6).

Not sure if that set of traits can lead to NBA stardom.

So I'm still on a CF-or-bust track.

[myconsumerclub]

I am assuming all these players in the top tiers are gone before we draft and yet if one falls we have to add the best most talented player at our pick. Doesn't matter what position that player plays even if he is a PF. We can always trade said player and if they win rookie of the year and show all star promise we can get back a PG and some picks to fill a lot of areas of need.

The key to winning the draft is picking guys that develop into role players and who can create who fall into the late first and second round if you get lucky with those picks your turing garbage into gold. We used to be good at that and so we need to add more 2nd round picks with a trade if needed.

Din and Exum are free agents and we only have BW and KI at PG and KI is out for a long time. Yes we need a PG!!!!!

Can we find one through trade? Give to get scenario using guys we have who may have value to other teams like fill in the blank __________________________

Do we want to keep any of our free agents? I vote no and opt to look for better options in the draft and in trades. Exum is the better player who can hit 3's at a better clip but we already have one injured PG.

I want my draft pick to hit 3 pointers well and not be a black hole for years as they develop a shot. They need to be a two way talent that can defend and we also need them to not be a midget. They need to be legit athletes that can run the floor without falling down and turning the ball over.

If Egor was a better 3 point shooter the guy would be in the top 4. He will fill out may not get to 270 like our old PG but he should be faster. I might take a chance on his game. His similarity to Luka is obvious as well but he is less of a scorer and more of a passer. He rebounds well but not as much though he does get more assists than what Luka was dishing out at Real Madrid.

If I am looking to try and fill more than one need he gives us a size factor that should help us feed the ball to AD more effectively plus when Irving is back he can play SF and still serve as a PG. He adds more scoring by getting more assists. That makes guys look like they are better and able to do more than they really are which is the problem we have now our guys are getting exposed as not being able to create on their own. Luka covered up that weak spot.

[myconsumerclub]

Well De Larrea opted to play in Spain must be afraid of the big stage.

[myconsumerclub]

League owes us Cooper Flag because they approved LA stealing Luka and that they obviously broke the rules in doing so with collusion and however it remains hidden the bribing is obvious. There is no other explanation on why Nico would make such a stupid trade. I wonder how much money it took to own him.

[myconsumerclub]

Just move the mavs to vegas already and let us get another franchise in Dallas. Cuban needs to be eviscerated as the true idiot he is for his bad jusgement in destroying our franchise just to fatten his own wallet and he should be forbidden from ever owning a team ever again.


You buy teams out of love for the game or so you say and then you fail to serve the needs of the fanbase that supports your business, that is treason most foul.