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[Saba Sports News] The Dallas Mavericks stunned the NBA world by jumping to the top of the draft lottery. After trading Luka Dončić to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, GM Nico Harrison landed the No. 1 overall pick.
While there’s been speculation about Dallas flipping the pick in a blockbuster deal, most insiders expect them to keep it. Cooper Flagg remains the consensus top prospect, but the Mavericks are being thorough with the pre-draft process.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Dallas has scheduled a pre-draft visit with Flagg. The Duke standout has drawn league-wide attention after impressing against Team USA earlier this summer. Unless Harrison pulls off another shocker in the coming weeks, Flagg is expected to begin his NBA career in Dallas.
His visit will likely include meetings with Mavericks stars Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, giving the team a chance to pitch their vision for his role.
Dallas is also navigating trade rumors involving major names like Kevin Durant, but holding the top pick gives them one of the league’s most valuable assets. The last time the No. 1 pick was traded was back in 2017.
A pre-draft deal involving Dallas would ignite what ESPN’s Shams Charania predicts will be a chaotic NBA offseason—but such a move appears unlikely. Flagg’s skill set and high floor as a rookie make him a strong fit for the Mavericks. He offers scoring versatility next to Davis and could help cover for Irving as he recovers from an ACL injury.
If the Mavericks were to acquire Durant, Flagg could still thrive as a complementary off-ball player. His visit to Dallas ahead of the June 25 draft could offer a glimpse into the franchise’s future.