2025 draft thread: THE MAVS SELECT COOPER FLAGG

[KillerLeft]

Interesting use of the term “fact,” professor. Cheers!

I understand the definition of "fact" and stand confidently behind the statement, which is qualified and specific.  

This will be the last "the NBA is corrupt and rigged" post we tolerate around here for a while. I get that it's interesting for some of you kooks (meant with endearment), but there's actual Mavs stuff to discuss now, AGAINST ALL ODDS (pun intended), so we're going to lean into that stuff for a while in an effort to get this place back up out of the mud. 

Cooper Flagg is about to be a Maverick. Let's all do our best to TRY to enjoy it, maybe? Just an idea.

[Jmaciscool]

I wonder how many teams have had three number 1 picks on their roster at the same time?

[Scott41theMavs]

Well, the alternative to 2021's theory is that "there are basketball gods." But if that's the case, why would they reward Nico's idiocy?

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

NBA being rigged is perhaps the silliest debate I've seen on this board.

OK... Cooper or Giannis?

[Jmaciscool]

Well, the alternative to 2021's theory is that "there are basketball gods." But if that's the case, why would they reward Nico's idiocy?

They reward their true worshippers, the fans. Our cries and lamentations brought forth their intercession on our behalf. Always hold their holy numbers of 41, 77, and 1.8 close to your heart.

[ballsrchr]

NBA being rigged is perhaps the silliest debate I've seen on this board.

OK...  Cooper or Giannis?

Cooper!  Cooper!  Cooper all the way.  Period.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

Cooper!  Cooper!  Cooper all the way.  Period.

He'll probably miss Kyrie and AD's remaining high value performance.  You do whatever you can to win a championship now.  Giannis gives you a better chance of that.

With either Cooper or Giannis, AD is redundant.  I would be all for moving AD for a 2way starting SF.

Kyrie, Din, Hardy
Klay, Christie
trade_for_AD, Naji, Martin
Cooper/Giannis, PJ
Lively, Gafford

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

Can Flagg play in the same frontcourt with PJ/AD and Lively/Gafford?

[KillerLeft]

Can Flagg play in the same frontcourt with PJ/AD and Lively/Gafford?

That's the $1,000,000 question. Can he be a 3, or should they make room for him at the 4?

[LukaMVP]

Flagg is still growing maybe he'll grow bigger than davis. big player playing small puts too much load on their ankles and more likely they will be prone to Achilles injuries, like Durant and now tatum. Flagg may split his minutes between 3/4, or 4/5 if he grows significantly bigger.

[cow]

Can Flagg play in the same frontcourt with PJ/AD and Lively/Gafford?

The real question is if PJ/AD and Lively/Gafford play in the same frontcourt as Flagg.

[SleepingHero]

https://dallashoopsjournal.com/p/cooper-...-reaction/

Cooper Flagg’s on Potential Dallas Mavericks Fit:
“I’m grateful to get this opportunity, or any opportunity to hear my name called on draft night,” Flagg said. “I’m just really excited for this whole experience. Not everybody gets to go through this, so I just feel really blessed. As far as Dallas goes, they’ve got a lot of really good pieces.”

Flagg also mentioned his excitement about possibly playing alongside Mavericks center Dereck Lively II, another former Duke product.

“To be able to learn from D-Live—that’s pretty cool,” Flagg said. “So I think it would be a really cool opportunity.”

[SleepingHero]

That's the $1,000,000 question. Can he be a 3, or should they make room for him at the 4?

His entire career thus far has been at the 3 with the rest at the 4. What makes him so insane is that while his primary position is the 3, he can defensively guard 1-5 at an elite level. 

On offense, he's starting to flash he can be an offensive initiator.

[SleepingHero]

They reward their true worshippers, the fans. Our cries and lamentations brought forth their intercession on our behalf. Always hold their holy numbers of 41, 77, and 1.8 close to your heart.

Want to know something insane?

This was the 41st NBA lottery ever held. Dirk's legacy lives on.

[LukaMVP]

either pj or gafford or even both will get traded this summer. lively is more valuable but Flagg doesn't want him traded apparently.

[SleepingHero]

Duke's Mens Basketball team tweeted out these images. Seems like they're excited:

https://x.com/dukembb/status/1922746591754043578?s=46&t=Fmdr94oXagcEyy75KJqaFg

[SleepingHero]

either pj or gafford or even both will get traded this summer. lively is more valuable but Flagg doesn't want him traded apparently.

I'm starting to pump the brakes on that idea to be honest. Ever since I read Dan's post about a potential lineup including all of Flagg/Klay/PJ/AD/Lively, I got pretty freaking excited. The size and defensive versatility of that lineup would be something I don't think the NBA has had really. 

Of course it hinges on Flagg being able to "run" an offense. He's shown flashes of it. He was one of the most efficient PnR players in college this past season.

Gafford is great insurance as well. AD's injury history is well known at this point. Lively has been as unlucky as it gets. Gafford backing those two up is about as good of a scenario as I can possibly imagine.

[SleepingHero]

@ohnohedidnt24
ESPN draft expert says he's "99.9%" sure that Dylan Harper will be selected 2nd overall by the Spurs:

"They are not pursuing trades from what we're hearing. They think that they can play Harper together with Steph Castle and De'Aaron Fox in the same backcourt"

[SleepingHero]

https://x.com/JonahJavad/status/1922768933167230996

@JonahJavad
Do the Dallas Mavericks have any intention of trading the #1 pick?

Here's the "answer" from Dallas Mavs CEO Rick Welts...


"That's a great question for Nico Harrison"

This answer is terrifying. Although, Welts has nothing to do with the basketball side of the operations, so he has no say. He's deflecting, not because I think he's trying to cover up Nico attempting to trade the pick, but because he literally has no say or intel from that side.

MacMahon, Stein, and even Cato went straight to Dumont and was told that the Mavs are emphatically picking Flagg with the #1 pick. I don't think Nico has free reign anymore after the fallout from the Luka trade and the financial ramifications from it.

MFFL NATION (@NationMffl)
Tim MacMahon:

“Patrick Dumont, the governor of the Dallas Mavericks, recognizes the gift horse that was delivered to this franchise… The Dallas Mavericks will be picking Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick.”

[LukaMVP]

pj is a natural pf who can play small ball 5 imho. playing SF is awkward enough for pj, not to say you'd have to let a rookie forward handle the ball. Flagg is talented and he has the potential to be able to do everything on court. he is the white LeBron, but it's probably not a good idea to hasten his growth especially when the mavs are now supposed to contend. even LeBron was not such a complete player in his late teens or early 20s tbh. plus pj is going to demand big money which Nico ain't gonna give, if we don't trade him (or gafford for similar reasons) this summer we'll either let him walk in a year for free or sell him cheap in February like grimes.