In a stunning and unprecedented twist to the 2025 NBA Draft, the Dallas Mavericks have emerged as the holders of the first overall pick — a moment that has sent shockwaves throughout the basketball world. The announcement was made during the NBA Draft Lottery, and the outcome immediately turned the spotlight toward a franchise that just a year ago was viewed as a mid-tier playoff contender anchored by one of the league’s brightest stars, Luka Dončić. The news reshapes not just the Mavericks’ offseason trajectory, but the entire landscape of the NBA as executives, agents, fans, and analysts try to wrap their heads around the ramifications of such a seismic development.
For longtime followers of the NBA, the Mavericks holding the No. 1 overall pick feels like something out of a simulation or a dream. Not since the franchise selected Dirk Nowitzki in 1998 (via a draft-day trade with Milwaukee) has there been a moment of such long-term significance at the top of the draft board. And this time, the Mavericks are not just part of a deal or moving up a few spots—they’re on the clock with the power to select the top prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft, a class that boasts generational talent and future franchise changers.
The improbable leap to the top of the draft comes via a rare confluence of events. The Mavericks, who narrowly missed the playoffs due to a late-season slide and strategic rest decisions aimed at protecting draft positioning, held a pick with top-10 protections. Thanks to some clever maneuvering and a touch of lottery luck, the ping pong balls bounced their way. Despite only having a 3% chance of landing the top spot, Dallas defied the odds in dramatic fashion. The moment NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum flipped over the card revealing the Mavericks at No. 1, the room erupted—both in the broadcast studio and across social media platforms flooded with stunned reactions.
What this means for the Mavericks cannot be overstated. Entering the draft, they already had a nucleus featuring Dončić, one of the top five players in the world, and Kyrie Irving, whose contract still looms large on the salary sheet. While their postseason aspirations have been inconsistent in recent years, the core remains talented and marketable. Now, with the ability to draft a player like French phenom Hugo Fortier, G League Ignite star Tyrone ‘Ty’ Rivers, or Duke’s dominant two-way forward Cooper Flagg, Dallas has the opportunity to add a potential superstar on a cost-controlled rookie deal to a team already built around a generational talent.
The early consensus among NBA insiders points to Flagg as the most likely top selection. The 6-foot-9 swingman out of Duke is widely considered the best all-around player in the class. Flagg’s unique combination of scoring, rebounding, rim protection, and leadership has drawn comparisons to a young Kevin Garnett, but with more polish as a perimeter shooter. He led Duke to a Final Four appearance in his lone collegiate season and finished as a finalist for both the Wooden and Naismith Awards. Flagg’s motor, basketball IQ, and unselfishness make him an ideal fit next to a heliocentric star like Dončić. Where Luka commands the ball and orchestrates offense, Flagg thrives off movement, weakside defense, and making the right play at the right time.
If Dallas does go with Flagg, it immediately sets the franchise up for both short- and long-term success. Imagine a world where Dončić handles pick-and-rolls while Flagg spaces the floor or slips behind the defense as a cutter. On defense, Flagg could guard the opposing team’s best wing, easing the burden on Dončić and adding a layer of versatility the Mavericks have sorely lacked. His presence would allow Dallas to deploy a more switch-heavy scheme, a necessity in today’s NBA.
Still, there’s no guarantee that Flagg will be the pick. The Mavericks’ front office, led by General Manager Nico Harrison and backed by team governor Mark Cuban, is known for thinking outside the box. They were aggressive in acquiring Irving and have never shied away from blockbuster trades. Some sources around the league speculate that Dallas could explore packaging the No. 1 pick in a massive deal, either to move down for additional assets or to trade for an established star. With Dončić firmly in his prime and growing increasingly impatient for playoff success, Dallas may decide that immediate help outweighs the allure of potential.
Then again, it’s rare—almost unthinkable—for a team to pass on a talent like Flagg. History has not been kind to teams that overthought the top pick. Just ask the 2003 Detroit Pistons, who took Darko Miličić over Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade. Or the 2018 Phoenix Suns, who selected Deandre Ayton over Luka Dončić himself. The No. 1 pick is a blessing and a burden, and it comes with the responsibility of getting it right. For a franchise that has seen legends like Nowitzki and Dončić define entire eras, the next decision could shape the next decade of Mavericks basketball.