June 24, 2025 – Brooklyn, NY – The 2025 NBA Draft begins tonight at Barclays Center with a clear consensus at the top: Cooper Flagg, the uber‑talented Duke freshman, is the uncontested No. 1 pick. Despite Dallas entering the draft lottery with just a 1.8% chance, the Mavericks are set to select the 6‑foot‑9 forward and kickstart what the NBA world is calling a new era.
Mavericks Hit the Jackpot
Dallas stunned the NBA in May, vaulting from a lottery-bound team to grab the top pick—widely regarded as a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity . The Mavericks, still reeling from the midseason Luka Doncic trade, now turn to Flagg to lead the next chapter alongside veterans Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, who is returning from ACL surgery.
Duke coach Jon Scheyer praised Flagg for his franchise-altering skillset: “He can elevate a franchise,” and LeBron James added that Flagg couldn’t have landed in a better environment for development.
Flagg: Consensus No. 1 Pick
Flagg’s dominance is nearly unanimous:
- Recognized as Wooden Player of the Year, ACC Player of the Year, and a consensus National Player of the Year.
- Averaged 19.2 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks per game at Duke — proof of his two-way impact.
- Standing 6‑9 with a 7‑foot wingspan and elite athleticism—NFL-caliber traits that scouts crave.
- Widely acknowledged as “a generational talent,” drawing comparisons to the best American-born prospects since LeBron James.
Top of the Lottery: Flagg Followed by Harper, Edgecombe, Bailey
- Second pick: Rutgers guard Dylan Harper heads to the San Antonio Spurs, continuing their rebuild after drafting Victor Wembanyama.
- Third pick: Baylor’s V. J. Edgecombe projected to land with Philadelphia, bringing athleticism and scoring potential.
- Ace Bailey (Rutgers) looms in the top five, despite questions over his draft readiness and absence from team workouts.
Additional prospects generating buzz include Kon Knueppel, Khaman Maluach, Tre Johnson, and international talent Noa Essengue.
Depth, Drama & Draft Night Intrigue
- Thin depth beyond the lottery: GMs warn of a talent drop-off after pick 8, raising stakes on draft day moves.
- Ace Bailey’s mystery looms large; his refusal to participate in drills sparks trade-and-pick speculation.
- Mock draft volatility: Even with Flagg locked in, picks 2–10 remain fluid, driven by team needs and strategic maneuvering.
Draft Day Outlook
- June 25, 2025: Night 1 opens the first round with Flagg’s selection—cementing Dallas’s rebuild blueprint.
- June 26: The second round unfolds, offering hidden gems amid a less-heralded class of early entrants and international players/
- Expect late swings in picks 4–10, especially involving draft-stock conversations around Bailey, Johnson, and Knueppel
Final Take
With Cooper Flagg universally recognized as the top NBA prospect of his generation, the Mavericks’ surprising lottery win reshapes their future. Paired with Davis and Irving, Flagg becomes the linchpin in a high-stakes rebuild aimed at immediate title contention.
At the same time, the race for picks 2–10 carries intense intrigue, featuring high-upside guards, risky prospects, and strategic gambles. As draft night approaches, Flagg’s era begins—and the ripple effects across the league promise a dynamic and unpredictable evening.
