In a twist that not even the most imaginative basketball minds could have predicted, the Dallas Mavericks have experienced a staggering and surreal reversal of fortune—one that has transformed shock into hope, despair into promise, and uncertainty into unshakable belief. Just months after the seismic and controversial trade of franchise cornerstone Luka Dončić, the Mavericks now find themselves holding the keys to the NBA’s future: the rights to draft generational talent Cooper Flagg. For CEO Rick Welts, a seasoned executive who’s seen more than his share of chaos, growth, and championship-caliber success, this turn of events is nothing short of the “craziest” he’s ever witnessed.
“This league has always been unpredictable,” Welts said in a media availability that crackled with emotion and disbelief. “But what we’ve seen happen in Dallas over the past few months—it defies logic. It defies expectation. It’s absolutely wild.”
Indeed, in what now feels like a fever dream, the Mavericks’ decision to trade Luka Dončić—a player many had assumed would wear a Mavs jersey for the entirety of his career—was met with outrage, confusion, and even grief from fans. Dončić was not just an elite scorer or an All-NBA mainstay. He was the identity of modern Dallas basketball. His court vision, clutch performances, and charisma elevated the franchise to perennial playoff relevance and, at one point, legitimate title contention. When the trade went through, many assumed the Mavericks were embarking on a long, painful rebuild—a process that often takes years, if not decades, to bear fruit.
But the basketball gods had other plans.
The Mavericks, reeling and written off, plummeted in the standings and entered the NBA Draft Lottery with slim but mathematically viable odds of striking gold. They did just that. In a moment that stunned the league and sent shockwaves through every front office, Dallas won the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. That pick, of course, means one thing: Cooper Flagg.
Flagg, the 6-foot-9 forward from Maine with freakish athleticism, elite defensive instincts, and a relentless motor, has long been heralded as the best prospect since LeBron James. His performances with Duke this past season only solidified his case. A force on both ends of the court with leadership qualities far beyond his years, Flagg is seen as a franchise-changer, a once-in-a-generation player who can instantly shift the trajectory of any organization. And now, in a poetic twist that borders on the fantastical, he’s headed to Dallas.
“I don’t think we’ve fully processed it,” Welts admitted. “I mean, it’s like waking up from a nightmare and realizing you’ve stumbled into a dream.”
For Welts, who joined the Mavericks as CEO during a period of intense transformation and challenge, the moment is a personal vindication. Known for his tenure with the Golden State Warriors during their dynasty years, Welts has always been a forward thinker—a visionary with a deep understanding of basketball’s evolving landscape and the cultural dynamics that orbit around the game. Still, even he could not have anticipated the dominoes that would fall after the Dončić deal.
“We took a risk,” Welts said. “There’s no hiding from that. Trading Luka was gut-wrenching. He’s a generational player, a phenomenal competitor, and a huge part of this team’s history. But we had to look at the bigger picture, the long-term vision. And as hard as it was, we knew that sometimes, change is the only way forward.”
In hindsight, that change has led to perhaps the most hopeful position the Mavericks have been in since drafting Dončić in 2018. Though the roster is still raw and undergoing reshaping, the arrival of Cooper Flagg is expected to provide an anchor for the franchise—someone who can lead, inspire, and elevate everyone around him.
Flagg’s ability to play multiple positions, guard elite wings, and facilitate offense gives Dallas a versatility it hasn’t enjoyed in years. Beyond the stats, however, it’s his mentality that has scouts, coaches, and execs like Welts raving.
“This kid is built different,” Welts said with a grin. “I’ve seen players with talent. I’ve seen guys with swagger. But Flagg has that rare mix of competitiveness and humility. He doesn’t care about the spotlight—he wants to win. Period.”
Insiders around the league agree that Dallas’ future has shifted dramatically, with Flagg expected to become not just the face of the Mavericks, but perhaps the face of the NBA itself. Already, season ticket sales have skyrocketed. Merchandise demand has surged. Social media is abuzz with anticipation. Dallas, once a city mourning the departure of its basketball son, is now a city reborn—with its faith restored and its sights set high.
It hasn’t all been easy, though. In the months following the Dončić trade, the Mavericks faced withering criticism. Pundits questioned the front office’s vision. Fans launched petitions. Some called for the firing of leadership. But through it all, Welts and his team remained calm.
“We knew it would be tough,” Welts said. “We knew there’d be pushback. But the most important thing in sports—and in business—is conviction. You have to trust your process.”
Welts credited his scouting department, led by what he called “the sharpest minds in the game,” for staying on Flagg’s radar even before the lottery dream became reality. “We were ready for this outcome even when we knew it was a long shot,” he said.
And now that it’s real, the task shifts to building around Flagg. Welts has been tight-lipped about specific personnel moves but hinted at a “strategic blend of veteran presence and youthful energy.” The goal, he emphasized, is not just to develop Flagg but to surround him with a culture that values growth, accountability, and championship standards.
“We’re not going to make the mistake of thinking one player, no matter how great, is a savior,” Welts said. “We’re going to build something sustainable. Something special.”
Flagg, for his part, has expressed excitement about joining the Mavericks, telling reporters during pre-draft meetings that he’s eager to embrace the challenge and represent a city that’s hungry for glory.
“I’ve always wanted to be somewhere that truly believes in me,” Flagg said. “And from everything I’ve seen and heard, Dallas is that place. I’m ready to work. I’m ready to win.”
As for the fans who still feel the sting of losing Dončić, Welts had a message: “We hear you. We understand the emotion. But I promise you—this story is just beginning. And it’s going to be one you’ll never forget.”
The NBA, a league built on narrative swings and unforeseen twists, now has its next great chapter. The Mavericks, once cast into the wilderness, now have a new compass. And in Cooper Flagg, they have found not just a player, but a symbol of renewal.
Rick Welts, sitting in his office overlooking the practice court where Flagg will soon lace up his sneakers for the first time in Mavericks colors, paused for a moment as he reflected on what has transpired.
“I’ve seen a lot,” he said quietly. “I’ve been around some incredible moments. But this? This is something else. This is the craziest reversal of fortune I’ve ever witnessed. And I couldn’t be more excited about where we’re headed.”
The Mavericks have gone from heartbreak to headline, from turmoil to triumph. The winds have changed in Dallas. And the storm that once swept Luka Dončić away has now cleared the path for Cooper Flagg to rise.
