Dallas Mavericks defy the odds; is Cooper Flagg the savior Luka Doncic’s been waiting for?

There were gasps in the Barclays Center, not from hopeful fans of the Utah Jazz or the Washington Wizards, but from a stunned Mavericks contingent watching history unfold. Dallas, with a minuscule 1.8% chance, secured the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft lottery on Monday night—sending shockwaves through NBA circles and igniting speculation about a Luka Doncic–Cooper Flagg duo.The lottery balls didn’t care about odds, and the Mavericks, who just a month ago were bounced from the play-in tournament by the Memphis Grizzlies, are suddenly staring at a generational pivot point. Dallas finished the season 39-43, barely holding on to postseason hopes, but Monday’s unexpected win could realign their trajectory entirely.
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It’s the first time Dallas has won the top pick since 1981, when they drafted Mark Aguirre out of DePaul. Now, 44 years later, history could repeat itself—with the Duke Blue Devils’ standout Cooper Flagg expected to be the consensus No. 1 selection.

Dallas cashes in at the right time

The Mavericks weren’t even in the top five of lottery odds. That honor belonged to the Jazz, Wizards, and Hornets each holding a 14% chance while the Pelicans (12.5%) and 76ers (10.5%) rounded out the group of favourites. The Toronto Raptors, hoping to add another foundational piece, ended up with the ninth pick after entering the night with a 7.5% shot at No. 1.In a year where the NBA draft class isn’t as deep as recent ones, having the first pick is more valuable than ever. Especially with Cooper Flagg standing tall as the crown jewel. A native of Newport, Maine, the 6’8″ forward led Duke to a thrilling NCAA Tournament run before falling just short against the Houston Cougars in a 70-67 Final Four loss.The Luka-Cooper question

Flagg’s rise has been meteoric. A two-way forward with high basketball IQ, defensive tenacity, and a smooth offensive touch, he’s seen by many scouts as the kind of player who can transform a franchise—or help stabilize a superstar who’s been carrying one.

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The Mavericks have been Luka Doncic’s team since the day he arrived, but playoff disappointments and roster inconsistencies have stalled championship aspirations. Cooper Flagg, if he delivers on his potential, might finally give Doncic a dependable running mate.