Dallas Dominates Drafts: Mavericks Win NBA Lottery, Eye Cooper Flagg as Next Franchise Star
Fortune is favoring Dallas in 2025. Just weeks after the Dallas Wings secured the top pick in the WNBA Draft, the Dallas Mavericks have now claimed the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft Lottery. The result? Dallas is poised to welcome two of the brightest young stars in basketball—one on each side of the professional game.
Cooper Flagg, the consensus top prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft, is now widely expected to land with the Mavericks. The 6’9″ forward has dazzled scouts with his elite two-way game and basketball IQ, drawing comparisons to generational talents. Should Dallas select him, Flagg will arrive amid sky-high expectations in a city already buzzing from recent success.
Adding intrigue to the moment is a cryptic message from veteran Klay Thompson, who shared a Kobe Bryant-inspired quote on his Instagram story: “When you feel like you’re stuck in the mud, ask yourself — what would Mamba do?” Though not directed at anyone by name, the timing strongly suggests the message was meant for Flagg, a subtle challenge from the seasoned sharpshooter to the potential future face of the franchise.
At 35, Thompson brings championship pedigree and leadership to a Mavericks squad looking to blend youth with experience. His message could serve as both a welcome and a warning—this is no ordinary opportunity. Dallas, a team with playoff aspirations and a growing core, now holds the chance to develop a new superstar under the guidance of veteran leaders.
With the NBA Draft on the horizon, all eyes are on how this new chapter unfolds in Dallas. Can Cooper Flagg rise to the moment and deliver on the hype? One thing’s for sure—Dallas has the spotlight, and the future is watching.