Context:

The Dallas Mavericks have acquired Duke Blue Devils standout Cooper Flagg with the top pick in the 2025 NBA draft, leading to speculation about potential trades involving centers Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, and Daniel Gafford to make room in the team's frontcourt. This acquisition is particularly significant given the Mavericks' previous trade involving Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis, suggesting another deal could be imminent. Flagg, a highly anticipated talent, expressed his satisfaction with his college experience, having led Duke to a Final Four appearance, and now looks to establish his legacy in the NBA. The Mavericks' strategic focus on building around Flagg provides them the flexibility to avoid retaining expensive veteran players like Davis and Kyrie Irving, whose injury histories and salaries pose a burden. The unexpected success in securing the No. 1 draft pick despite long odds underscores the unpredictable nature of NBA transactions and team-building strategies.

Dive Deeper:

• Cooper Flagg was selected by the Dallas Mavericks as the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft, with potential implications for the team's roster, particularly in the frontcourt where players like Anthony Davis might be traded to accommodate Flagg's arrival.

• The Mavericks' ownership may decide against maintaining costly contracts for aging or injury-prone veterans like Davis and Kyrie Irving, now that they can build around a promising young talent like Flagg.

• Flagg's college career at Duke was marked by significant achievements, including leading the team to a Final Four berth, fulfilling his dream of competing at the highest collegiate level and securing his legacy in Durham.

• Flagg had previously hinted at possibly returning to Duke for another season, but his move to the NBA was anticipated, as he had achieved his collegiate ambitions and was ready to transition to the professional level.

• The Mavericks' acquisition of Flagg, despite having only a 1.8% chance of landing the No. 1 pick, highlights the unpredictable nature of the NBA draft and the potential for unexpected outcomes in team-building efforts.

• The connection between the Mavericks and the Lakers, due to the previous Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade, suggests that another major trade could occur, potentially involving any of the centers currently on the Mavericks' roster.

• Flagg's impact is expected to be substantial, providing the Mavericks with a franchise cornerstone around which they can construct a competitive team, potentially reshaping their strategic direction and financial commitments.

• The Dallas Mavericks have landed Duke Blue Devils basketball star Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft. CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn tabs Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, or Daniel Gafford as likely trade block centers to clear up room in the Mavs’ frontcourt.

• Quinn adds that it’s a positive for the Los Angeles Lakers, which are intrinsically linked to Dallas after the Luka Doncic-AD swap in February.

• “The Mavs aren't keeping Davis, Flagg, Lively and Gafford,” Quinn wrote.

• “This is incredible for the Lakers. I have to imagine one of the centers is moving.”

• The Lakers and Mavericks doing another deal wouldn’t be any wilder than the original trade. Nothing seems off the table in the NBA now. Including Dallas landing the No. 1 pick despite having a 1.8% chance of doing so beforehand.

• As for Dallas, building their roster around Flagg means anyone is on the table. If Mavs ownership doesn’t want to continue footing the bill for aging vets with injury histories like Davis, Kyrie Irving, or Klay Irving, they won’t.

• They don’t have to now with a franchise pillar like Flagg in the mix.

• Cooper Flagg was never going to return to Duke Blue Devils basketball team despite rumors

  Flagg gave some a jolt in February when he said he’d like to return to Duke for the 2025-26 college basketball season.

• Reading into his comments, though, it’s clear he got everything he could’ve wanted playing for Jon Scheyer’s Blue Devils.

• “I still feel like a kid. This is the only way I’ve ever known college. That’s how I see it. I really wouldn’t know how kids felt before, and if this feels different, if this feels more like being a professional. I mean, it’s the same thing for kids in high school, too, getting paid a lot of money. I don’t know. I feel pretty normal,” Flagg told the Athletic.

• “I always wanted to play in college at the highest level and compete for a national championship. That sort of thing is what I dreamed about.”

• Flagg got Duke to a Final Four berth. His legacy in Durham is secure.

• We now know where his legacy will be built next.