There's a new era of Mavericks basketball in Dallas.
After parting ways with a generational talent in Luka Doncic in February, the Mavs won the No. 1 overall pick at the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery. Dallas had been on the clock since mid-May, but it didn't need much time to select Duke's Cooper Flagg first overall
Flagg, who won't turn 19 until December, joins a 39-win team that was one Play-In Tournament victory from advancing to the NBA Playoffs. The result is the rare example of a consensus top prospect landing with a team built for postseason success.
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How does Flagg fit with who the Mavericks have in tow? Here's a breakdown of their potential roster for the upcoming 2025-26 season.
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- Why Cooper Flagg is can't-miss No. 1 pick
Mavericks roster with Cooper Flagg
Here is a look at the Mavericks' potential roster with Flagg. The players below are those under contract for the 2025-26 season. It is worth noting that All-Star guard Kyrie Irving will be unavailable to begin the season as he rehabs from a torn ACL suffered in March.
| Player | Position | Height | Age | 2024-25 PPG |
| Max Christie | G | 6-6 | 22 | 11.2 |
| Anthony Davis | F/C | 6-10 | 32 | 20.0 |
| Spencer Dinwiddie | G | 6-5 | 32 | 11.0 |
| Cooper Flagg | G/F | 6-8 | 18 | — |
| Daniel Gafford | C | 6-10 | 26 | 12.3 |
| Jaden Hardy | G | 6-4 | 22 | 8.7 |
| Kyrie Irving | G | 6-2 | 33 | 24.7 |
| Dereck Lively II | C | 7-1 | 21 | 8.7 |
| Naji Marshall | F | 6-7 | 27 | 13.2 |
| Caleb Martin | F | 6-5 | 29 | 5.4 |
| Dwight Powell | C | 6-10 | 33 | 2.1 |
| Olivier-Maxence Prosper | F | 6-8 | 22 | 3.9 |
| Klay Thompson | G | 6-5 | 35 | 14.0 |
| PJ Washington | F | 6-7 | 26 | 14.7 |
| Brandon Williams | G | 6-1 | 25 | 8.3 |
2025 NBA DRAFT HQ: Live tracker | Pick-by-pick grades | Best players available
Mavericks projected starting five
Here is what Dallas' starting five could look like once Irving returns from injury. He is expected back in the lineup after the calendar flips to 2026.
- G Kyrie Irving
- G Klay Thompson
- F Cooper Flagg
- F Anthony Davis
- C Dereck Lively II
This Mavs' lineup blends youth with experience as it has a trio of veterans in Davis, Irving, and Thompson, and a duo of young players in Flagg and Lively.
Unsurprisingly, Flagg spoke highly of the opportunity to join Dallas' roster.
“I feel blessed for this opportunity. Not a lot of No. 1 picks get this opportunity, going to a team alongside guys like that — AD, Kyrie, Klay — high-level guys. …I want to be a sponge. I want to learn as much as I can," Flagg said after he was selected.
Cooper Flagg on joining a team with Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, etc.:
— Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) June 26, 2025
“I feel blessed for this opportunity. Not a lot of No. 1 picks get this opportunity, going to a team alongside guys like that -- AD, Kyrie, Klay -- high level guys…I want to be a sponge. I want to learn as… pic.twitter.com/C7kjSGxJId
There is flexibility here, however, as Thompson could potentially be moved into the second unit in favor of a younger option like Max Christie, Naji Marshall, or PJ Washington. If one of Marshall or Washington is inserted in place of Thompson, Flagg would likely slide into the backcourt next to Irving.
At Duke, Flagg was listed as a guard and forward, and he has the skills to play the shooting guard position, though his size and measurements suggest he is a small forward.
The biggest takeaway from Dallas' lottery luck is that head coach Jason Kidd has plenty of flexibility with the types of players on the roster. As this past season showed, health will be the determining factor in the Mavs reaching their ceiling.