This past February, the Dallas Mavericks made the kind of move that flips a franchise and its fans from their core. Trading away perennial MVP candidate Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers sent shockwaves through the league. For a minute there, it looked like Dallas was punting on their present and the future with that move; however, the basketball gods (let’s call it that) had other plans.
Despite finishing the regular season in a forgettable fashion, getting kicked out of the Play-In tournament by the Memphis Grizzlies, and having just a 1.8% chance at the top spot for the draft lottery, Dallas walked away with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The so-called “Capture the Flagg” sweepstakes ended in their favor, and suddenly, the picture in Texas changed overnight.
Flagg can be Flagg without the pressure
Now, with a revamped core, a high-upside roster, and a potential franchise-changer in Cooper Flagg walking through the door, Jason Kidd has every reason to smile. And according to the Hall of Fame point guard turned head coach, Dallas is the perfect environment for Flagg to flourish, without the crushing weight of carrying the franchise alone, most top picks have to deal with.
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“I think this is a great situation for him. When you talk about different guys that we have on the team, the pressure of living up to the No.1 will be a lot easier with the talent around him. When you talk about other clubs, he would have to, you know, produce right away on a high, high level,” the Mavs head coach disclosed in his appearance on the “Dan Patrick Show.”
J-Kidd understands what it’s like to be the guy everyone’s watching. He was once the second pick in the draft, a franchise cornerstone, the face of a rebuild, and eventually the leader of a championship team. That’s why his confidence in Flagg isn’t blind optimism; it’s rooted in personal experience.
Cooper’s lone season at Duke gave fans a taste of what’s coming. He posted 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, shooting a solid 48.1% from the field. Beyond the numbers, “The Maine Event” looked like a future two-way star, someone who can defend multiple positions, create his own shot, and play unselfishly within a system.
And now, he’ll be learning under Kidd, a coach who’s always valued IQ, versatility, and toughness. Add in teammates who can shoulder the scoring and playmaking load, think Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis, and suddenly, Flagg isn’t expected to walk in and be a savior. He’s expected to grow and steadily become the next face of the franchise.
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“So, I think this is a great situation for him to grow his game, where the pressure isn’t as high. But, we are playing for a championship, so it will be a lot of fun,” Kidd added.
Draft Flagg and let him do the rest
The post-Doncic era was supposed to be rocky and filled with resentment from the fanbase. Moving on from a generational talent usually leaves scars that take years to heal. But this changes everything.
Landing the No. 1 pick and getting a shot at Flagg gives the Mavericks and their fans a reason to believe they can be relevant now and in the future. Let’s just hope GM Nico Harrison resists the urge to overthink what’s right in front of him. Now isn’t the time to get clever or chase a short-term splash at the expense of long-term potential.
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With the experienced players and coaching staff around him, “The Maine Event” has a chance to turn into something special. But, for now, let’s wait for the draft night to see who grabs the Duke sensation, because in the NBA, you can never be certain.