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Cooper Flagg anticipated being selected by the Dallas Mavericks as the first pick in the 2025 NBA Draft sponsored by State Farm, but he was unprepared for the initial inquiry at the post-draft press conference.
Right from the start, the 18-year-old forward was confronted with questions surrounding conspiracy theories that falsely allege the league manipulated the annual NBA Draft Lottery to reward the Mavericks for trading Slovenian superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2024-25 Regular Season.
“No. I really don’t know how to respond to that,” he said, clearly taken aback by the first question posed during the media event on Wednesday evening. “I don’t have any insider info, if that’s what you’re hoping for. But I feel truly fortunate about how everything has unfolded.”
The Texas franchise clinched the lottery in May, despite possessing merely a 1.8% chance of securing the top pick. This fortunate turn of events transformed the Mavericks’ only available selection into the first overall pick, eventually leading to the selection of the former Duke star. Flagg has been largely viewed as Doncic’s successor in Dallas.
In addition to officially choosing the Maine native, the Mavericks’ front office is also engaged in broader preparations for the 2025-26 Regular Season, with Jason Kidd reaffirmed as the franchise’s head coach.
“Is that still being discussed regarding Jason Kidd? I believed I had addressed that,” mused general manager Nico Harrison. “He will be coaching next year.”
