The Dallas Mavericks essentially spoiled their overwhelmingly likely No. 1 overall draft choice at this month’s draft by releasing a graphic celebrating the selection of Duke Blue Devils basketball star Cooper Flagg.
The New York Post’s Joseph Staszewski reported the obvious: it’d be a stunner to see anyone but Flagg taken with the first overall pick after Dallas somehow won the NBA draft lottery despite a 1.8% chance of winning it.
Staszewski also reported that Jason Kidd will likely be Flagg’s first NBA head coach after the Mavs' brass denied the New York Knicks permission to interview him.
“It would be a stunning turn of events if the Mavericks don’t take Flagg on draft night after Dallas’ fortuitous lottery win while holding just a 1.8 percent chance of getting the right to draft the star, who averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists during his freshman season,” Staszewski wrote.
“For now, it appears Jason Kidd will coach Flagg and make the new era in Dallas work after the Mavericks denied the Knicks the chance to interview him in their search to replace the fired Tom Thibodeau.”
The door is reportedly not shut on Kidd to the Knicks, according to one New York-based reporter, however.
SNY’s Ian Begley reported Monday that the possibility of Kidd returning to the franchise he played for during his final season in 2012-13 is still on the table.
"The door is not completely closed on the Knicks and Jason Kidd, per people familiar with the dynamic in Dallas,” Begley wrote.
“Other outlets reported as recently as last week that Kidd was still a possibility, and that remains the case as of Monday.”
While New York appears to be a better win-now scenario after an Eastern Conference Finals appearance, it may not take long for Dallas to become one if Flagg lives up to his gaudy billing. Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis staying healthy is the other must to make the Mavs a more attractive situation.