The Dallas Mavericks secured the first overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, just a few weeks away. The way Dallas landed the top pick is a blessing in disguise, as they are now set to draft Cooper Flagg. However, if not for a coin toss, Flagg would be headed to Chicago instead.
“Since Chicago and Dallas had the same record, the coin flip determined who would have the 11th spot and who would have the 12th spot. Chicago lost the toss and had the 12th spot. They ended up staying at 12 after the lottery, while Dallas, who got the 11th best odds, jumped all the way to No. 1,” nbaonespn posted.
Flagg is set to become the youngest No. 1 pick in NBA history. He should be a freshman at Duke this season, but he reclassified to enter the draft early. Flagg is particularly excited about the opportunity to go up against LeBron James, whenever that matchup happens.
“Somebody that obviously [I wanna play against] I think [is] LeBron. I think that would just be cool to be able to play against him. Obviously, I think his time is kind of coming to an end soon in the next couple of years or whatever. So I think just being able to play against him would be kind of a surreal feeling,” said Flagg to The Deep 3.
While the Mavericks are likely to keep Flagg, a proposed four-team trade idea from ESPN could shake up the entire league.
“Dallas Mavericks get: Guard Donovan Mitchell, 2031 first-round pick (via Lakers), 2028 first-round swap (via Lakers), 2030 first-round swap (via Lakers). Cleveland Cavaliers get: 2025 No. 1 pick, guards Jevon Carter and Gabe Vincent, forwards Maxi Kleber and P.J. Washington, center Daniel Gafford. Los Angeles Lakers get: Center Jarrett Allen. Chicago Bulls get: Forwards Dalton Knecht and Caleb Martin, 2026 second-round pick (via Cavaliers), 2027 second-round pick (via Nuggets), 2028 second-round pick (via Cavaliers),” ESPN wrote.
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If this trade were to happen, multiple players would find new homes—and Flagg would end up in Cleveland, just like LeBron James once did. That scenario would have Flagg quite literally following in James’ footsteps.