Projected top pick Cooper Flagg shared his thoughts on the Dallas Mavericks after the franchise secured the No. 1 overall selection in the 2025 NBA Draft.
The Mavericks jumped to the top spot in Monday’s draft lottery despite finishing 10th in the West with a 39-43 record.
This marks the first time Dallas owns the top overall pick since joining the NBA in 1980.
Flagg, widely regarded as the leading candidate to go first overall, spoke about the Mavericks’ emphasis on defense and his own fit with their roster.
“Being a two-way player—that’s something that I’ve done since I was a little kid,” Flagg said when asked about potentially joining a team built around defense-first identity, via HoopsHype.
Dallas traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers during the regular season and added Anthony Davis in return, signaling a shift toward a more balanced roster alongside Kyrie Irving.
Flagg acknowledged the significance of the upcoming transition in his career while keeping his focus on his established strengths.
“So going forward, I’m just going to look forward to that,” he said. “I’m just going to try and keep doing that to the best of my ability.”
The Mavericks’ surprising lottery victory gives them a chance to reset their direction after being eliminated in the Play-In Tournament.
The San Antonio Spurs will pick second, followed by the Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Hornets, and Utah Jazz to round out the top five.
Flagg headlines a class that includes Dylan Harper, VJ Edgecombe, Ace Bailey, and Derik Queen, all projected to go early in the first round.
The first round of the NBA Draft will be held on June 25, with the second round taking place the following day.
