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.
Is nico sure he wants to keep it?
Lakers are reportedly offering bronny james & 2033 2nd rounder
“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.
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.