The Dallas Mavericks caused a stir after they unexpectedly traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of the 2025 NBA trade deadline. While they paired Anthony Davis with Kyrie Irving, many fans believed Doncic gave them a better chance to compete for championships. 

The Mavericks finished the regular season in 10th (39-43), which resulted in a pair of play-in tournament matchups. They couldn’t make it past the Memphis Grizzlies, who took the No. 8 seed in the West.  After Kyrie Irving’s season was cut short due to an ACL injury and Davis struggled to stay healthy, the Mavericks are now working to get back stronger in the 2025-26 season. 

While many were still lamenting Luka Doncic’s move to Los Angeles, the Mavs found more reasons to believe they can be competitive for many years. They won the 2025 NBA Draft lottery, which gives them access to draft Duke superstar Cooper Flagg, one of the most hyped prospects in recent years.

Mavericks executive raves about potentially landing Cooper Flagg 

This possibility excites plenty of people within the franchise. Matt Riccardi, assistant general manager of Dallas, didn’t hide his excitement when discussing how impactful it would be to have a player of Flagg’s caliber. During a conversation with the “Take Dat With You” podcast, Riccardi didn’t mince words.

Cooper Flagg #2 of the Duke Blue Devils

“I would say, more than anything, it makes the [championship] window 20 years instead of three… We’re trying to win it every single year and the guys that we have, we felt like before this draft lottery, that we had a good enough team to win a championship. Now we get the chance to add the number one pick to this? We’re ecstatic for that, but it’s business as usual for us and whoever we get, which the kid from Duke, as you’ve mentioned, you’re bringing in someone that’s won everywhere he’s been,” he said.

Nico Harrison might have been given a lifeline after the draft lottery. Mavs fans were anything but happy with the general manager over the Doncic trade. Then again, if they can bring another championship with their renewed core, all the hate he’s gotten in the last few months will likely end.

SURVEY Will he be a star in the NBA?

Will he be a star in the NBA?

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