After a disappointing season, the Dallas Mavericks were expected to make roster changes for the next season. The team looked stagnant and lacked depth, which led to heavy criticism of general manager Nico Harrison. However, things took a turn when the Mavericks won the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery. As a result, they earned the right to select Cooper Flagg. Fans widely celebrated the news. Still, rumors began to surface about the team possibly trading him. Soon after, new reports emerged to clarify his future within the franchise.
According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, the Dallas Mavericks are set on drafting Cooper Flagg. They have no plans to trade him. With this move, Nico Harrison makes a bold decision. He secures a new cornerstone for the franchise’s future. At the same time, he keeps two elite players: Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving. Since Irving is injured, Flagg will likely see a lot of playing time in the preseason.
Because of this, Mavericks fans are breathing a sigh of relief. They feared a trade for a veteran could damage the team’s long-term plans. However, some relevant voices have also shared their opinions. For example, former NFL star Shannon Sharpe believes there is only one player worth trading Flagg: Giannis Antetokounmpo. Even so, he admits that keeping the young star is the smartest move.
Mavericks GM Nico Harrison remains confident in his decision. Cooper Flagg brings new hope to a team that lacked a cornerstone. With Max Christie on board and the top draft pick secured, Dallas finally seems to have a clear plan. Moreover, Mavs owner Patrick Dumont reportedly sees Flagg’s arrival as a ‘gift.’This shows his strong desire to bet on the young star. Despite that he has yet to make his NBA debut, the franchise expects him to become a key player for their roster.
The potential arrival of Cooper Flagg has sparked excitement within the Dallas Mavericks organization. Among those reacting to the news was Kyrie Irving, who offered a brief but enthusiastic response that reflected his anticipation about the team’s chances of landing the highly touted prospect.
According to ESPN, even if Flagg joins the Mavericks, Irving would not take the court alongside him until at least January 2026. Still, there is optimism that the two will share significant minutes during the season. Mavericks fans are already envisioning a powerful lineup featuring Anthony Davis, Cooper Flagg, and Kyrie Irving, an offensive trio with the potential to be among the league’s most formidable.