Assassin said:

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I'm told Patrick Dumont was at a track meet of one of his kids and couldn't watch the lottery live. His phone rang and it was Mark Cuban, telling him the Mavs were in the top 4.

Phone rang again and Dumont thought Cuban said Mavs got No. 1 pick, but Cuban was so busy screaming…

— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) May 13, 2025

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Having been to a lot of track meets with kids in different events, you are mostly sitting around waiting. Seems highly unlikely he could not have been watching on his phone. And if his kid was performing, he wouldn't answer the phone in the first place.

More proof this guy has as much business running a team as you would expect a nepobaby by osmosis to have.

Very worried they are going to trade that pick for a win now player. If they had any brains, they would move AD to a disappointed contender over the summer for a haul and build around Flag and Lively.

And this actually makes the return from the Doncic trade look worse IMO. Imagine if they traded Doncic for AD, Knecht and 2 or 3 firsts , and then they landed Flag. They would be loaded with assets.

GoodOleBaylorLine said:

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Very worried they are going to trade that pick for a win now player. If they had any brains, they would move AD to a disappointed contender over the summer for a haul and build around Flag and Lively.

And this actually makes the return from the Doncic trade look worse IMO. Imagine if they traded Doncic for AD, Knecht and a couple of firsts, and then they landed Flag. They would be loaded with assets.

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Always thought he was worth at least 4 1st rounders to some team in dire need.

Assassin said:

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GoodOleBaylorLine said:

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Very worried they are going to trade that pick for a win now player. If they had any brains, they would move AD to a disappointed contender over the summer for a haul and build around Flag and Lively.

And this actually makes the return from the Doncic trade look worse IMO. Imagine if they traded Doncic for AD, Knecht and a couple of firsts, and then they landed Flag. They would be loaded with assets.

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Always thought he was worth at least 4 1st rounders to some team in dire need.

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100%. AD could easily push a contender over the top. You put him on the OKC, Knicks or Cavs for example.

GoodOleBaylorLine said:

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Assassin said:

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GoodOleBaylorLine said:

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Very worried they are going to trade that pick for a win now player. If they had any brains, they would move AD to a disappointed contender over the summer for a haul and build around Flag and Lively.

And this actually makes the return from the Doncic trade look worse IMO. Imagine if they traded Doncic for AD, Knecht and a couple of firsts, and then they landed Flag. They would be loaded with assets.

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Always thought he was worth at least 4 1st rounders to some team in dire need.

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100%. AD could easily push a contender over the top. You put him on the OKC, Knicks or Cavs for example.

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He is ultra-talented. But he's 'basketball old' and plays so hard that he is prone to injury. See the first month we had him.

The Dallas Mavericks have no plans to trade the top overall pick after winning the lottery on Monday and intend to select Cooper Flagg, sources tell ESPN's Tim MacMahon. The Mavs had only a 1.8% chance of winning the lottery.

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/280388/Mavericks-Wont-Trade-Pick-Plan-To-Select-Cooper-Flagg-At-No-1

The two #1 overall draft picks back in HS

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJmMsljRBa_/

"When you got somebody with that kind of potential and they’re white and you are in America, you keep that dude…Texas is different. And in Dallas, Texas, if you got an opportunity to take Cooper Flagg, you take Cooper Flagg." - Stephen A. Smith pic.twitter.com/eFjVMRaqD6

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 14, 2025

LUKA, KAI AND MAVERICK...
******************************
...were among the top 100 names for boys in Texas in 2024, according to the Social Security Administration.
The big picture:
Liam, Noah, Olivia and Emma were the top boy and girl names in Texas last year, in line with the rest of the country.
Case in point:
While it's impossible to know the inspiration behind each name, the Social Security Administration's historical data offers some clues.
Luka started appearing as a top 100 name in Texas during the 2020-21 NBA season, when Luka Doni became the first NBA player in 22 years to be selected to the All-NBA First Team in either their first or second season.
476 boys were named Luka in 2021. That number jumped to 527 boys in 2024, the same year the team went to the NBA Finals.
Zoom out: Luka ranked 94th nationally last year, but 77th in Texas.
The intrigue:
604 of the boys born in Texas last year were named Maverick and 434 were named Kai, a nickname often used for Kyrie Irving.
What we're watching:
How the Luka trend might change now that Doni is no longer a Maverick.

One thing about Luka I will not miss is his intention to play ball the whole off season. Mavs (and now Lakers) had/have too much invested to lose him to a summer injury

Mavs looking at the site of the old Valley View Mall to build their new stadium. It will be basketball only, not dual use with the Stars. Also looking at Dallas Convention Center and Dallas County Jail

Dennis Smith to check in with Mavs about PG. A former first-round draft pick could be making his way back to the Dallas Mavericks.

According to multiple reports, Dennis Smith Jr. is set to work out with the Mavs next week as the point guard looks to continue his NBA career.

https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2025/06/06/former-mavericks-guard-dennis-smith-jr-working-out-with-team-next-week-reports-say/

Center Daniel Gafford expected to sign three-year extension with Dallas Mavericks
A key piece of the Mavericks' frontcourt won't be leaving Dallas anytime soon.

Center Daniel Gafford is expected to sign a three-year contract extension with the Mavericks, a person familiar with the situation told The Dallas Morning News. The extension is worth nearly $60 million

BREAKING: Dallas Mavericks nine-time NBA All-Star Kyrie Irving is declining his $43 million player option and intends to sign a three-year, $119 million contract with the franchise, sources tell ESPN. The deal includes a player option in the 2027-28 season. pic.twitter.com/hduY1vEVVP

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 25, 2025

Keyser Soze said:

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BREAKING: Dallas Mavericks nine-time NBA All-Star Kyrie Irving is declining his $43 million player option and intends to sign a three-year, $119 million contract with the franchise, sources tell ESPN. The deal includes a player option in the 2027-28 season. pic.twitter.com/hduY1vEVVP

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 25, 2025

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If he can stay on the floor, I guess this is a good deal

Nice kid for end of bench, better than Powell

The Dallas Mavericks have selected Cooper Flagg, a forward from Duke University, with the first overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft. In his lone season at Duke, Flagg averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.4 steals, on 48% from the floor (including 38.5% from three) in 37 games.
Flagg heads to Dallas after one of the most celebrated seasons in college basketball in recent memory and is widely regarded as one of the best prospects in the last decade. Duke finished the season 35-4, falling in the NCAA Tournament semi-final game to Houston.
Despite starting his college career at 17 (he turned 18 in December), Flagg brought home a list of awards by season's end:

National Player of the Year Awards

• USBWA Oscar Robertson Trophy (National Player of the Year)
• Wooden Award
• AP National Player of the Year
• Naismith Trophy

National Freshman of the Year

• USBWA Wayman Tisdale Award
• NABC Freshman of the Year

ACC Awards

• ACC Player of the Year
• ACC Freshman of the Year
• First Team All-ACC
• ACC All-Defensive Team
• ACC All-Freshman Team

Other Notable Honors

• Consensus First Team All-American
• Julius Erving Award (best small forward)

The Mavericks won the right to select Flagg on May 12th, where they improbably jumped up from the 11th spot in the NBA Draft lottery up to the first spot. They had a 1.8% chance of making this jump and it ended up being the first time in Dallas history where they actually moved up since the NBA started the draft lottery system.
This is the first time Dallas has selected number one in the draft lottery era, but it is not the first time they have selected number one overall. Mark Aguirre was selected first in that draft after Dallas won a coin flip with the Detroit Pistons to determine who went first.
Flagg becomes the first white American selected number one over all since Kent Benson in 1977. If you don't remember who Kent Benson was, well, he was punched by Kareem Adbul-Jabar minutes into his NBA career.
The selection of Flagg hopefully means some stability for a franchise that's been in a very chaotic place since the decision to trade Luka Doncic to the Lakers in February. There are many questions that need answering about how Dallas expects to play their glut of forwards, but for now, this is a time for celebration. Cooper Flagg projects to be a magnificent player and the future looks good for the Dallas Mavericks.

Gotta admit, I wasnt a fan from when he played us and almost took one of our guys heads with his flying elbows. But now that he's a Maverick, I forgive him!

The Dallas Mavericks have had a turbulent offseason when it comes to the coaching staff. Jason Kidd has, and may still have, interest in the New York Knicks coaching job. Alex Jensen, who was Kidd's number two last year, departed at the end of the season to be the head coach of his alma mater, the Utah Utes. And Sean Sweeney, Kidd's lead assistant, is leaving to be the associate head coach of the San Antonio Spurs.
According to the Hoop Collective podcast, the Mavericks aren't done seeing their staff leave, either. It appears that Jared Dudley is headed to join the Cleveland Cavaliers, while God Shammgod is likely to join Jamahl Mosley with the Orlando Magic.

If these departures are finalized, that would mean the Dallas Mavericks coaching staff would be down their top three assistants from the previous season, while also losing their top two player development coaches, although Darrell Armstrong left rather unceremoniously.
Also of note, Tim MacMahon notes that Kidd has still not received the contract extension that he's been looking for. This is important because, well, the New York Knicks also still don't have a head coach. That's not to say that he's going to leave, but that door is still technically open.
What makes the situation fascinating is that the Mavericks have the number one overall pick coming into town tonight. Cooper Flagg is going to be a Dallas Maverick, and yet the entirety of the coaching staff has at worst already left, or at best at least thought about leaving. For an organization that has been in constant disarray ever since they traded Luka Doncic away in the middle of the night on February 1st, you would've hoped that lucking into Cooper Flagg would've been the reset needed to get the ship turned around.

More on this topic: Dallas is now regarded as a leading suitor for D'Angelo Russell, sources tell @TheSteinLine.

The Mavs can make a free agent run at Russell because Kyrie Irving's new deal has a lower Year 1 salary than his $43M player option.

More: https://t.co/WcPtjzmQVQ https://t.co/e59gLp0BbY

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 25, 2025

NCAA Assists leader last season

I can’t believe nobody drafted Ryan Nembhard. And then Dallas steals him on a 2-way? I think he’s gonna be good. The NBA should add a 10-player third round and make it a 70-pick draft. The worst 10 teams get one more 3rd rounder.

— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) June 27, 2025

A 22-year-old point guard, Nembhard led the NCAA in assists last season with 9.8 per game. He rounded out his stat line for Gonzaga with 10.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game, ultimately earning a First Team All-WCC nod as well.

Nembhard has an older brother who is already in the NBA too Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard. Andrew was a playoff hero for Indiana this season as they made to within one win of the NBA title. He averaged 12.5 points and 4.7 assists per game on 47/47/80 shooting splits during the 2025 postseason while providing excellent defense on the likes of Jalen Brunson and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to boot.

The Dallas Mavericks appear to be nearing an agreement with veteran guard D'Angelo Russell.

The two sides are expected to come to terms on a deal approaching the two-year, $12 million range when free agency begins, a person familiar with the process confirmed to The Dallas Morning News.

After starting last season with the Los Angeles Lakers as Anthony Davis' teammate, Russell, 29, was traded back to Brooklyn.

The 10th-year guard is capable of running an offense and can serve as a playmaker, but he's coming off one of the worst shooting seasons of his career [31% from 3].


Dallas will be without starting point guard Kyrie Irving for at least the first few months of the 2025-26 season as he recovers from a torn ACL.

Russell would help fill the void left by Irving, but he may not be the only guard still on the Mavs' radar as free agency nears.

The Mavs have two unrestricted free agents they could also try to bring back, Dante Exum and Spencer Dinwiddie, with some salary cap gymnastics. Negotiations can begin with other teams' free agents at 5 p.m.

Dante Exum, Mavericks Agree To One-Year Deal
Jul 2, 2025 5:25 PM

Dante Exum and the Dallas Mavericks have agreed to a one-year deal. Exum considered offers from two other contending teams, but decided to remain with the Mavericks.

Exum was limited to only 20 games last season because of a fractured wrist and broken hand. Exum averaged 8.7 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 18.6 minutes.

The Mavericks also signed D'Angelo Russell to give the team depth in the backcourt while Kyrie Irving rehabilitates his torn ACL.

The Mavericks have indeed secured their long-anticipated verbal agreement with D’Angelo Russell on a two-year deal worth nearly $12 million, league sources say.

More NBA from @JakeLFischer and me: https://t.co/WoNqIgMcqE https://t.co/ZPLVOTk7hE pic.twitter.com/bhUnG89qiD

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 30, 2025

The Dallas Mavericks are fresh off a franchise-altering draft and ready to shift their focus to game action in the NBA Summer League. The Summer League is a multi-venue affair, with games taking place in the California Classic and Salt Lake City Summer League on July 5, 6 and 8, before the scene shifts to Las Vegas from July 10-20.

Dallas is only playing in Las Vegas, where they will kick things off with a primetime matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. That affair will be followed by at least three other games. Their opponents include the San Antonio Spurs, Charlotte Hornets and Philadelphia 76ers. The fun doesn't stop there, however, as the tournament style setup culminates with a championship game on July 20.

Here is how you can tune in to watch all the action and get your first look at Cooper Flagg in a Mavericks uniform.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks
Thursday July 10, 7:00 p.m. CDT on ESPN

Dallas Mavericks vs. San Antonio Spurs
Saturday July 12, 3:00 p.m. CDT on ESPN

Charlotte Hornets vs. Dallas Mavericks
Monday July 14, 5:30 p.m. CDT on NBA TV

Dallas Mavericks vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Wednesday July 16, 7:00 p.m. CTD on ESPN

Between Friday July 18 and Sunday July 20, a variety of consolation games interspersed with semifinal games will be played, culminating with the championship game that declares a Summer League winner.

There have been 11 champions crowned since 2013, when the tournament format officially came into play, and 17 MVPs since 2006 when the award was implemented (there was no Summer League in 2020). The Dallas Mavericks have never laid claim to either an MVP or a Championship in Las Vegas, though they did win the now-defunct Orlando Pro Summer League in 2017 (its final year of play). Depending on how much Dallas intends to play Cooper Flagg, he has as good a chance as any Maverick in recent memory to take an MVP award home with him to kick off his NBA career in style.

Not gonna lie it still feels weird that the Mavs got Cooper Flagg

datboiquadzilla said:

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Not gonna lie it still feels weird that the Mavs got Cooper Flagg

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Just think it we had kept Luka too...

Assassin said:

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datboiquadzilla said:

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Not gonna lie it still feels weird that the Mavs got Cooper Flagg

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Just think it we had kept Luka too...

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Man seriously.

As much as I am still upset with Nico trading Luka, I have a good feeling we don't get Flagg if we don't trade Luka.

datboiquadzilla said:

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Assassin said:

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datboiquadzilla said:

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Not gonna lie it still feels weird that the Mavs got Cooper Flagg

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Just think it we had kept Luka too...

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Man seriously.

As much as I am still upset with Nico trading Luka, I have a good feeling we don't get Flagg if we don't trade Luka.

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Still ticked off about Luka. But it's over. Trying to see past what could have been the biggest return in NBA history, maybe 5 1st round picks and a backup center?

Hard to say about Cooper as it was the lottery

Assassin said:

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datboiquadzilla said:

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Assassin said:

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datboiquadzilla said:

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Not gonna lie it still feels weird that the Mavs got Cooper Flagg

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Just think it we had kept Luka too...

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Man seriously.

As much as I am still upset with Nico trading Luka, I have a good feeling we don't get Flagg if we don't trade Luka.

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Still ticked off about Luka. But it's over. Trying to see past what could have been the biggest return in NBA history, maybe 5 1st round picks and a backup center?

Hard to say about Cooper as it was the lottery

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Yeah me too.

Cooper Flagg will definitely help us at least stay relevant. We will eventually need help though.

I do like the aspect of building a team around him.

datboiquadzilla said:

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Assassin said:

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datboiquadzilla said:

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Assassin said:

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datboiquadzilla said:

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Not gonna lie it still feels weird that the Mavs got Cooper Flagg

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Just think it we had kept Luka too...

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Man seriously.

As much as I am still upset with Nico trading Luka, I have a good feeling we don't get Flagg if we don't trade Luka.

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Still ticked off about Luka. But it's over. Trying to see past what could have been the biggest return in NBA history, maybe 5 1st round picks and a backup center?

Hard to say about Cooper as it was the lottery

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Yeah me too.

Cooper Flagg will definitely help us at least stay relevant. We will eventually need help though.

I do like the aspect of building a team around him.

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While AD is exceptional, he is long in the tooth and hurt waaay to much to depend on him. Wish there had been a Victor Wembanyama at #1. Cooper is supposed to be a "generational" player, so I will wait and see

The NBA Family is heartbroken by the loss of life and the devastation caused by the flooding across the Texas Hill Country. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragedy and we extend our deepest gratitude to the heroic first responders and volunteers. Amid so much… pic.twitter.com/KOyyWNugly

— NBA (@NBA) July 7, 2025