Since the Mavericks‘ unlikely lottery win on Monday night, there has been speculation about the possibility of the front office – which clearly isn’t shy about taking big swings – including the No. 1 overall pick in a trade for a proven superstar such as Giannis Antetokounmpo.
However, that’s not the plan in Dallas, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPN, who hears from sources that the Mavericks intend to use the pick to draft consensus top prospect Cooper Flagg and won’t entertain the idea of trading it. Marc Stein (Twitter link) has heard the same thing from a source with knowledge of the team’s thinking.
According to MacMahon, Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont considers it a “gift” to get the opportunity to draft a prospect like Flagg. The possibility of re-gifting the Duke star to another team isn’t under consideration, says MacMahon, noting that Dumont has given general manager Nico Harrison leeway to run the front office but still has the final say on all basketball decisions.
As MacMahon points out, the decision to trade Luka Doncic to the Lakers in February resulted in “significant business concerns” for the Mavericks, in addition to creating a murky long-term outlook for a franchise that has traded away control of its own first-round picks from 2027-30. Being able to add Flagg to Dallas’ core would go a long way toward mitigating both of those concerns, MacMahon writes.
[RELATED: Mavs Rejoice After Getting Top Pick]
Flagg will be joining a Mavs roster headlined by Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, Dereck Lively, and P.J. Washington.
As fortunate as Dallas is to be in position to bring aboard a talent like Flagg, there’s still plenty of work to be done on the roster this summer. With Irving expected to miss a significant chunk of the season while he recovers from a torn ACL, the team is short on ball-handling and play-making and will be looking to upgrade its backcourt.
Yep, and water is wet…
I was gonna say, “yeah more like in my bra.”But yours fits better.
“Dumont has given general manager Nico Harrison leeway to run the front office but still has the final say on all basketball decisions. As MacMahon points out, Harrison’s decision to trade Luka Doncic to the Lakers in February resulted in “significant business concerns” for the Mavericks”
Everybody sucks but also…
‘It’s Nico’s decisions but also it’s Dumont’s decision, but that Luka thing, yeah, that was all Nico.’
Nico? More like RICO in that this is all one big scam
Ah the conspiracy theorist has arrived.
You gotta at least give him credit for the pun.
David, for decades you, your clan, and your ancestors have been babbling about the fix being in. Yet, for all of your yapping and blathering, never has one of you ever provided one bit of evidence to support the paranoia rattling around inside your melon. Not one person ever affiliated with the NBA over the years has broken down and told a tale. That said, you are predictably amusing so please keep posting.
Will do! *thumbs up emoji*
Is nico sure he wants to keep it?
Lakers are reportedly offering bronny james & 2033 2nd rounder
Trade the pick for Luka.
“Mavs blow up the Luka/Brunson all-time great backcourt and get rewarded with one of the best prospects in decades”
I guess with NICO still in Dallas ……. we need this
Just my opinion:
Dallas doesn’t want Giannis.
Bucks don’t want Flagg.
Oh it’s a gift alright
In 2-3 years everyone will be singing Nico’s praise with Burger King Luka being a lotto Laker and Dallas being a top 3 team.
Yeah because Nico knew they were literally winning the lottery. He deserves all the praise for being either extremely lucky, or shady.
That’s odd. Most people who win the lottery do something stupid. It’s completely moronic that anybody thought they WOULDN’T draft Flagg.
Don’t rule out a Clippers deal. Kawhi is an expensive, aging and injury prone defensive stalwart. Nico loves those dudes.
He fits as SF his natural position. He fits this team too. Decent idea
I’m very nervous Giannis is going to end up out West and the conference is already stacked.
I could see Ishiba making a move.
With what assets?
Well this answers my questions….Sixers just need to choose wisely when they draft at 3
Who would you draft?
I have no idea at this point
SIXERS are not getting Cooper Flagg
Nico’s wife is gonna fall in love with Cooper and Nico’s going to end up drafting Ace Bailey for “defense”.
That’s why Luka might be gone in the 1st place. Interesting you wrote this
Would the Spurs trade No. 2 and Castle for No. 1? Or even ad No. 14 to get Flagg next to Wemby?
Incredible. The Mavs make the dumbest trade in history, try everything NOT to get a lottery Pick despite they had no chances in the Playoffs and are rewarded with Number 1.
The outcome is positiv:
The Mavs are watchable next season
Great young players will go with the first Picks to teams who are actually trying to win.
And extreme tanking is no länger useful. Mismanaged do not get oft of their hole by more and deliberate mismanagemt.
While the Mavs become Contenders by even more mismanagement.
Giannis and Lopez to Dallas for Flagg, Gafford, Lively, Washington, Martin, Christie, Hardy plus cash and picks to Milwaukee
Or
San Antonio offers the second pick plus many many more 1st they can offer for Flagg. Or San Antonio offers Fox to the 76ers for the 3rd pick
Or
Dallas drafts Flagg, offers someone Gafford and Martin for a veteran C and veteran SF starters somewhere and call everything good. Veterans 30+ Flagg off the bench
You should for once read what you write and say “this is embarrassing”. The first trade, the Giannis one is just moronic, Dallas would not even trade Flagg straight up and in your mind he is worth not only Flagg, adding 6 (!) more players plus picks.
Well maybe you think he is the sum of Jordan and Kareem in one player to worth that
Do you think the Spurs would trade No. 2 and Castle for No.1 (Flagg)? Or even together with No. 14?
#1, LAL 2029, Kyrie, Gafford for Luka and Gabe…. Who says no.