The Dallas Mavericks are reportedly planning to take Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick in next week’s 2025 NBA Draft. Flagg, an 18-year-old forward from Duke, has been making waves in the basketball world with his impressive skills and competitive drive.
In a recent ranking of the top NBA prospects of the past decade, Flagg was named the second-best prospect, trailing only Victor Wembanyama. The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie praised Flagg for his versatility, skillset, and ability to amplify those around him. Vecenie described Flagg as a “highly-skilled mismatch nightmare” and believes he has the potential to become the next apex wing in the NBA.
Flagg’s achievements on the court are impressive. He led Duke to a Final Four appearance as a freshman and won the 2025 Naismith National Player of the Year award while averaging 19.2 points and 7.5 rebounds. Vecenie lauded Flagg for his competitiveness and relentless aggression on both ends of the court, saying he “plays hard all the time” and “gives energy to his teammates.”
Flagg beat out several NBA stars, including Ja Morant, Luka Doncic, and Jayson Tatum, to secure his spot as the second-best prospect. Vecenie noted that Flagg has the best combination of a ridiculously high floor and ceiling, aside from Wembanyama. “He has a chance to become the next apex wing in the NBA,” Vecenie wrote. An unnamed NBA executive praised Flagg, saying he didn’t see any “major weaknesses” in Flagg’s game. The executive believes Flagg will be “pretty damn good” and will “throw some big games at you.” With Flagg’s young age and potential for growth, he’s expected to become a dominant force in the NBA.
Flagg reclassified to get an earlier shot at the NBA, and his selection as the No. 1 overall pick is seen as a likely outcome by many experts. He won’t turn 19 until December, and his youth and potential make him an exciting prospect for the Mavericks.
The Mavericks’ decision to take Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick would be a bold move, but one that could pay off in the long run. With Flagg’s skills and competitive drive, the Mavericks could be looking at a bright future with him as the cornerstone of their franchise [1].
