We’ve got a new era in Dallas — and his name is Cooper Flagg.

In one of the most seismic offseasons in NBA history, the Mavericks traded away superstar Luka Dončić to the Lakers… and less than a month later, they’ve locked in the #1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. With that pick, they’re expected to select the consensus top prospect and college sensation Cooper Flagg, officially signaling a bold new direction for the franchise.

Flagg — just a freshman out of Duke — is no ordinary No. 1 pick.
He was college basketball’s unanimous Player of the Year, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and leading the Blue Devils to the Final Four. The last freshman to do that? A young man named Kevin Durant. And now, Flagg is ready to carry the torch in Dallas.

While the Mavericks haven’t publicly confirmed their choice yet, Flagg’s presence in Dallas, his workout with the team, and the buzz around the league all point in the same direction. Even Flagg’s former teammate at Montverde, Liam McNeeley, said it straight:

“My whole family is in Dallas and they’re stoked to be able to go to Mavs games and watch Cooper. He’s part of the family.”

And if you think the pressure of replacing Luka Dončić is weighing on Flagg, think again.

“I’m not worried about living up to certain players’ expectations,” Flagg told reporters. “I’m just going to be myself and push to get better every single day.”

From reclassifying early to dominate college hoops, to now becoming the first American freshman to go No. 1 since Paolo Banchero, Flagg is embracing the grind. In his own words:

“If you’re the best player in the gym, find a new gym.”

This time, his new gym?
The American Airlines Center.
And Mavericks fans are hoping it becomes Cooper’s kingdom.

Stay tuned — because the future in Dallas has officially begun.