Dallas, it’s time to raise the Flagg.
NEW YORK — The Dallas Mavericks defied the odds earlier this year, winning the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft Lottery on a 1.8% chance. Wednesday night in New York, the Mavs cashed in that pick for Duke standout Cooper Flagg.
Flagg was the clear choice in this year’s draft. With the Blue Devils, Flagg averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists as a freshman.
“I don’t think it’s set in yet. It feels surreal,” Flagg told the media in his post-draft press conference. “I’m just playing the moments back in my head, standing up, hearing my name. It went so fast. It feels like a blur. But I just feel blessed and honored just to be here.”
Flagg’s arrival in Dallas brings a miraculous stroke of hope for fans, many of whom were scorned after the franchise traded star guard Luka Doncic. After winning the draft lottery in May, many reacted in disbelief. After a season that had been mired with injuries, losses and several calls for the sale of the team and the termination of GM Nico Harrison, fans have a new sense of hope centered around the 18-year-old from Maine.
The Mavs’ luck seems even further from reality, coupled with the fact that Dallas’ other professional basketball franchise, the Dallas Wings, selected Paige Bueckers with the No. 1 pick just months earlier.
The Flagg pick couldn’t have come at a more opportune time. Dallas needs more pieces to compete in a strong Western Conference led by the championship-winning Oklahoma City Thunder. Alongside Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively, Naji Marshall and PJ Washington, Flagg joins a sizeable Dallas roster that could look to reignite a bigger brand of basketball.
“I’m excited to be a sponge. To get down there and just learn,” Flag expressed about joining the Mavericks. “Be surrounded by, you know, Hall of Fame-caliber guys, and just to be able to learn from them, it’s going to be an incredible experience.”
Flagg was welcomed to Dallas with open arms by head coach Jason Kidd, Dirk Nowitzki and Dereck Lively II on social media. Fans can expect to cheer him on in a couple of weeks at Summer League!
Who is Cooper Flagg?
Cooper Flagg is a native of Newport, Maine, a town of about 3,200 people. Despite growing up in a small town not known for developing NBA talent, Flagg quickly rose to be one of the most exciting players in high school basketball.
Flagg’s two-way talent has contributed to his historic accolades, like becoming the only sophomore to ever win the Naismith Boys High School Player of the Year. As a 17-year-old college freshman, Flagg continued making headlines at Duke, enough to make him the clear favorite in the 2025 NBA Draft.
To read more about who Flagg is, click here.
How much will Cooper Flagg make as the No. 1 pick?
Under the NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement, Flagg is expected to sign a four-year rookie contract as the first pick, valued at around $62 million. The rookie pay scale is expected to increase for the 2025 draft class, which would put Flagg’s expected salary around $13.8 million for his rookie season.
That’s not including endorsements, which Flagg has plenty of! To read more about Flagg’s earnings, click here.
What number will Flagg wear?
Dereck Lively II currently wears #2, which Flagg wore in college at Duke, leaving the rookie to choose another.
The Mavericks announced that Flagg will wear #32. Read more about the history of that number in Dallas and where to buy your Flagg swag.
How does Flagg fit into the existing Mavericks roster?
The former Duke forward joins a locker room full of bigs in Dallas. With Anthony Davis parked at the power forward position and Daniel Gafford, who inked a massive deal with the Mavs, likely at center, Flagg could make a move to the three. You can read all about his potential fit here.
What players has Flagg been compared to?
Flagg is a young, standout two-way player, and like many No. 1 picks before him, the comparisons have come flooding in. At his size, he’s been compared to players anywhere from Franz Wagner to all-time greats like Kawhi Leonard, Grant Hill and Scottie Pippen.
Here’s a look at some of his top comparisons (according to ChatGPT).
When will fans get to see Flagg suit up for the Mavericks?
Flagg will don the blue and silver for the first time in just a few weeks at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. To read more about Flagg’s first game with Dallas, click here.