The Dallas Mavericks will be at the center of the NBA offseason, and crazy predictions have already emerged.
The Dallas Mavericks, after losing in the play-in tournament, were expected to get healthy this offseason and charge forward with the roster Nico Harrison imagined.
Instead, they landed the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and will presumably select Duke standout Cooper Flagg. While Flagg is easily the best player in the class, the Mavericks’ limited window with Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, and Klay Thompson has sparked speculation that they might trade the top pick.
Giannis Antetokounmpo seems like the only option in a trade for Flagg, although one former player suggested they could cash in for another big name.
Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty ImagesDallas Mavericks urged to trade for Kevin Durant
With Davis down low, an eventually healthy Irving facilitating, and Thompson spacing the floor, Harrison has made it clear that he thinks defense will win the Mavericks titles, although adding Kevin Durant, one of the best scorers ever, does make sense.
However, a 36-year-old Durant is likely not worth Flagg in a trade. Still, he is a proven player who would help the Mavericks’ title hopes.
“Kevin Durant wouldn’t be a bad move there either with that number one pick,” suggested DeMarcus Cousins.
“Nico’s already on record saying it’s a three-year window as far as winning the championship. Flagg doesn’t fit that window. Kevin Durant does. So I absolutely think he’ll trade that number one pick.”
If the Mavericks trade for Durant, then Dallas will truly only have three seasons to compete. Without future draft capital, the Mavericks won’t be able to rebuild and would have to place all of their hopes in Irving, Davis, Thompson, and Durant.
Their depth would be slashed as well in order to match Durant’s salary.
Mavericks told to skip Flagg in Draft
In the likely event that the Mavericks hold onto the top pick instead of orchestrating a trade, Flagg is the clear-cut number one pick. He seems NBA-ready, is a versatile force on both ends of the floor, and has all the markers of being a franchise player.
He has been compared to Kevin Garnett and Scottie Pippen, both proven winners. However, Cousins thinks the Mavs should pick a player who he compared to a legend who never found team success.
“I like Ace Bailey, to me, Ace Bailey is the number one pick,” Cousins said. “I think he’s the closest thing we’ve seen to a Tracy McGrady.”
Bailey is considered, at best, the third-best player in the draft behind Flagg and Dylan Harper. He is a very raw prospect with a lot of scoring upside, but his handle, shot selection, and general athleticism leave a lot to be desired.
Flagg can join the Mavericks and impact winning right away, contributing to the “three-year window.” If the Mavs shock the world and draft Bailey, then the direction Nico Harrison has been touting would be a lie.