How Cooper Flagg, Paige Bueckers No. 1 picks will heal Mavericks, Dallas after Luka Doncic trade

Published: Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at 12:16 am

Dallas Mavericks Rebuild Begins: Cooper Flagg and Paige Bueckers Bring Hope After Doncic Trade

The Dallas Mavericks are entering a new era, and the future looks bright thanks to a stroke of lottery luck and shrewd drafting. After trading superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Mavericks secured the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, giving them a chance to rebuild around a new cornerstone. This exciting news comes on the heels of the Dallas Wings selecting Paige Bueckers with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, injecting a dose of optimism into the city's basketball scene.

The Mavericks are poised to draft Cooper Flagg, a highly touted forward who played one season at Duke. Flagg, at just 19 years old, is considered NBA-ready. During his freshman season, he averaged an impressive 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game, while shooting nearly 50% from the field and 38.5% from beyond the arc. His two-way play is expected to be a major asset for the Mavericks, especially as General Manager Nico Harrison focuses on building a strong defensive team.

This double dose of No. 1 picks is a rare occurrence in professional basketball. The last time a city landed both top picks in the NBA and WNBA drafts was in 2003, when Cleveland selected LeBron James and Latoya Thomas.

While trade rumors continue to swirl, including speculation about Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Mavericks are likely to hold onto the No. 1 pick and draft Flagg. With Anthony Davis leading the team early in the 2025-26 season and Kyrie Irving returning from ACL surgery mid-season, the addition of Flagg could significantly boost the team's prospects. The arrival of Bueckers for the Wings further fuels the excitement, signaling a potential resurgence for Dallas basketball after the departure of Luka Doncic.

Tags: Dallas Mavericks, Cooper Flagg, Paige Bueckers, NBA Draft, WNBA Draft, Luka Doncic, Trade, No. 1 Pick, Duke, Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, Dallas Wings, Basketball, Rebuild, 2025 NBA Draft, 2025 WNBA Draft, Mavericks, Wings, Giannis Antetokounmpo

Full Story