Unlikely Lottery Luck Could Change Mavericks Franchise for Decades

From Luka to Cooper. 

Three months after trading Luka Dončić to the Lakers, the Dallas Mavericks won the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes. 

At Monday’s NBA draft lottery, the Mavericks were announced as the team with the No. 1 pick despite just a 1.8% chance to win the lottery. It marked the first time the franchise has moved up in the lottery since the system was first implemented in 1985. The NBA draft is June 25 at Barclays Center. 

Flagg, the presumptive No. 1 pick, dramatically changes the future of the Mavericks. The team was riddled with injuries after Dončić was traded for a package that included Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick. The Mavericks were betting on size, putting Davis around Derrick Lively, Daniel Gafford, P.J. Washington, and Kyrie Irving. 

“Defense wins championships,” Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison has repeatedly said since trading Dončić. 

But many believed the Mavericks were banking on a core that is old and injury-riddled, as Davis and Irving both have extensive injury histories. The 18-year-old Flagg joins a team that will immediately contend for a playoff spot and gives the franchise a path to win after the older core has run its course, similar to Dončić. 

Trading the 25-year-old Dončić less than a year after he led the franchise to the NBA Finals led to a fan revolt the likes of which Dallas hasn’t seen in years. Harrison received death threats, Mavericks season tickets were cancelled, and fans rioted in the streets over the deal. Now Harrison has another generational star fall into his lap. 

The Mavericks were 10th among NBA teams in salary this season, with around $173 million. Flagg’s rookie contract, assuming he goes No. 1, will be a four-year deal worth $62.7 million. 

Flagg was named National College Player of the Year and a first-team All-American in his lone year at Duke after averaging 19.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, while shooting an extremely efficient 48% from the field and 39% from 3. Flagg led the Devils to the Final Four before the team fell to Houston. 

The 6-foot-9 forward already has numerous endorsements, notably spurning Nike to sign with New Balance. Flagg hails from Maine and signed with the Boston-based company because of his ties to New England. He wore the shoes growing up. 

Full draft lottery order:

1. Dallas Mavericks

2. San Antonio Spurs

3. Philadelphia 76ers

4. Charlotte Hornets

5. Utah Jazz

6. Washington Wizards

7. New Orleans Pelicans

8. Brooklyn Nets

9. Toronto Raptors

10. Houston Rockets (from Phoenix)

11. Portland Trailblazers

12. Chicago Bulls

13. Atlanta Hawks (from Sacramento) 

14. San Antonio Spurs