Supposedly, the Dallas Mavericks have already carried out every little thing however submit their decide to the commissioner.
On June 25, they’ve been leaking to the world, they’re going to spend the No. 1 choice within the 2025 NBA Draft on 18-year-old Cooper Flagg.
For instance, right here’s what Hoops HQ has attributed to sources throughout the Mavericks group: “We’re 100% drafting Cooper Flagg. There will probably be no trades for our decide on draft night time.”
Welp, guess that’s it.
Nothing to see right here.
No method the Mavericks gained’t decide the reigning faculty participant of the yr, the 6-foot-7¾, 221-pound ahead who averaged 19.2 factors, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.4 steals per recreation for the Ultimate 4-qualifying Duke Blue Devils.
He can bounce, he can shoot, he can defend, he has aptitude, he has no drawback taking photographs within the clutch. There’s nothing to not like — no cause to not draft him No. 1.
However that is the Mavericks we’re speaking about. If Mavs basic supervisor Nico Harrison has the stones to commerce Luka Dončić, then he has no compunction about buying and selling the No. 1 decide. Extra essential: It’s his job to search out out whether or not the Mavs can be higher served by making a deal.
And with 33-year-old Kyrie Irving and 32-year-old Anthony Davis being the Mavs’ greatest participant, how does it assist their possibilities to win an NBA title by including somebody who was in preschool when Kyrie gained the NBA’s 2012 Rookie of the 12 months award?
Simply in case Nico wants any assist — and judging by the Dončić deal, he does — we’re going to suggest a couple of trades and play: Who Says No?
No. 1: Flagg for Nikola Jokić. Who says no?
Mar 28, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Utah Jazz ahead Kyle Filipowski (22) defends on Denver Nuggets middle Nikola Jokic (15) within the second quarter at Ball Area. Necessary Credit score: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Photographs Jokić has gained three of the NBA’s final 4 MVP awards — and he’s one of many three finalists for this yr’s award. Whereas he’s 30 years outdated, which suggests he’s nearing the tip of his prime, he simply set profession highs for scoring (29.6 ppg), assists (10.2 apg), 3-pointers (138), 3-point accuracy (41.7%) and steals (1.8 spg), and loved his second-best rebounding season (12.7 rpg).
If the Mavs acquired Jokić and paired him with Davis and Irving, they might instantly change into the title favorites subsequent yr. However the Nuggets must say no. It slams their window shut.
No. 2: Flagg for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Who says no?
Apr 5, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Milwaukee Bucks ahead Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) passes the ball below the arm of Miami Warmth middle Bam Adebayo (13) throughout additional time at Kaseya Middle. Necessary Credit score: Jim Rassol-Imagn Photographs The Greek Freak is just 75 days older than Jokić, and he’s one of many MVP finalists, too, which implies he’s assured to complete within the prime 4 for MVP for the seventh straight season. He’s implausible, and the Bucks must discover a solution to begin over as a result of they’re too outdated and too costly.
However Giannis isn’t an equal to Jokić in any method. Amongst different issues, his physique appears to be breaking down extra quickly than Jokić’s. He additionally shot 22.2% from three, so he’s poor in one of the vital essential facets of the sport. The Mavs say no to this one.
No. 3: Younger guys on the market with the next ceiling than Flagg?
Jan 29, 2025; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs middle Victor Wembanyama (1) seems up within the second half towards the LA Clippers at Frost Financial institution Middle. Necessary Credit score: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Photographs The Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama? Oh, the Spurs say no — except they’ll’t cease laughing lengthy sufficient to spit out the succinct syllable. The Celtics’ Jayson Tatum? Earlier than he ruined his Achilles tendon, it will have been value a legit dialogue as a result of he’d match that Mavs lineup completely.
Anthony Edwards, who’s a mere 23 years outdated? That will be an enchanting commerce, however the Timberwolves say no. They’re too invested in him and he’s creating into the brand new face of the NBA. Detroit level guard Cade Cunningham, who’s additionally 23? That’s value a dialogue.
No. 4: Flagg for SGA. Who says no?
Could 20, 2025; Oklahoma Metropolis, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles towards Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley (10) and ahead Jaden McDaniels (3) within the first quarter throughout recreation one of many western convention finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Middle. Necessary Credit score: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Photographs Oklahoma Metropolis’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joins Jokić and Giannis because the finalists for MVP. He led the league in scoring (32.7 ppg) and win shares (16.7) this season because the Thunder posted the NBA’s greatest document. He looks like he will get each name from the officers, which is a superb factor to have in your aspect. He turns 27 in July, so he’s primed for a number of extra prime-time seasons.
There’s actually no cause for the Thunder to say sure. They’re teeming with younger expertise already and don’t must reset their window. So we’re declaring the Thunder can be a tough no. That’s most likely an enormous #duh assertion, proper? So, let’s ask a by-product query.
If Nico Harrison someway pulled off a Flagg-for-SGA swap, would he be again in Mavs followers’ good graces? Or is there no such factor as getting back from the Dončić deal?
Contemplating Dončić belonged to Mavs followers, there’s most likely no probability right here for Nico to be forgiven. Until he additionally requested for (and received) Chet Holmgren. And Jalen Williams.
And included himself within the swap in trade for Thunder GM Sam Presti.
