For the first time ever, the Dallas Mavericks secured the No. 1 overall pick during the NBA Draft Lottery, giving them the opportunity to select Duke’s Cooper Flagg, the consensus top prospect in this year’s draft class.

Dallas entered the lottery as one of the teams with the lowest odds, making their leap to the top spot a stunning upset. This victory marks a turning point for a franchise that has endured a challenging season, including the midseason trade of Luka Doncic and injuries to key players such as Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis. 

Cooper Flagg: The Prize at No. 1

Cooper Flagg has been the standout player in college basketball this season. The 6-foot-9 Duke freshman averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, showcasing a rare combination of offensive skill and defensive versatility.

Flagg’s basketball IQ, two-way impact, and leadership helped lead Duke to the Final Four and earned him national player of the year honors. His arrival in Dallas is expected to accelerate the team’s rebuild and provide a foundation for long-term success.

Several teams with better odds than Dallas saw their draft positions shift. The San Antonio Spurs moved up to the second pick, while the Philadelphia 76ers landed the third selection.

The Charlotte Hornets, who had a 14% chance at the top pick, fell to fourth, and the Utah Jazz dropped to fifth. These changes will influence the draft dynamics and team strategies moving forward.

What This Means for Dallas

The Mavericks’ lottery win and the chance to draft Cooper Flagg represent a fresh start after a turbulent season. Flagg’s blend of size, skill, and two-way ability complements the Mavericks’ existing core, including Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, who is currently rehabbing an ACL injury.

This top pick could be the catalyst Dallas needs to return to playoff contention and build a competitive team for years to come. With the 2025 NBA Draft scheduled for June 25 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, all eyes will be on Dallas as they begin a new chapter with one of college basketball’s brightest stars.