Mavericks Score No. 1 NBA Draft Pick, Set to Choose Phenom Cooper Flagg!

CHICAGO — A single applause broke the silence from Matt Riccardi, the assistant general manager of the Dallas Mavericks, as he processed the slim 1.8% odds turning in their favor to clinch the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft lottery. Just one clap echoed, a subdued yet poignant acknowledgment of the pivotal shift brought on by the random dance of four Ping-Pong balls. It was a simple gesture, but given the tumultuous year endured by the Mavericks’ executive team, a more exuberant celebration would not have seemed out of place in the lottery room.

Stunningly, this comes only three months after the controversial trade of Luka Doncic. It’s been a rough trimester filled with agony—agony primarily self-inflicted by GM Nico Harrison’s decision to trade Doncic for a surprisingly minimal return. But now, hope is restored. Once the draw concluded, Riccardi secured the winning numbers—10, 14, 11, 7—and uncovered an owl sticker, a talisman from his young son, Lio. “Amazing,” Riccardi expressed, truly amazed. Just last month, the team was struggling, facing an uncertain path as a play-in team. By Monday, they were looking through a newly opened window to championship possibilities.

Exaggeration? Hardly. It’s clear whom the Mavericks will pick: Cooper Flagg, the remarkable 18-year-old talent from Duke. Flagg is a dynamic 6′ 7″, 221-pound forward who excels in all facets of the game. Last season, he averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game while shooting 48.1% from the field and 38.5% from beyond the arc. His defensive skills are top-notch, known for his exceptional weak side blocks and rapidly improving man-to-man defense. While he may not be Victor Wembanyama, the French sensation who was the top pick in 2023, Flagg is undeniably the next best candidate.

With Flagg joining the lineup, the Mavericks’ frontcourt is looking robust. He’s versatile enough to play small forward alongside Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II, or even shift to power forward when Davis anchors the center position. His high-level playmaking and extraordinary athleticism bode well for the team’s competitiveness. Although Kyrie Irving’s recent knee surgery casts a shadow on the upcoming season, Flagg’s arrival brings a renewed competitive edge for the next season and beyond.

Of course, conspiracy theories will swirl. The Mavericks trade Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers—handing over a superstar—and then serendipitously land the top draft pick. It’s a narrative reminiscent of the controversial “frozen envelope” theory involving David Stern and Patrick Ewing.

However, the NBA ensures its draft process is beyond reproach. Well before the televised event, team representatives are secluded in a drawing room under the watchful eyes of league lawyers and an Ernst & Young official. All electronic devices are confiscated upon entry, and the entire session is recorded. Only a few reporters are allowed inside, equipped solely with a notebook.

The draw itself is a meticulous affair. Inside the lottery machine—akin to a giant water jug with air circulating through it—fourteen Ping-Pong balls bounce around, each combination offering a different fate with 1,001 possibilities. Every 10 seconds, a ball pops out, timed by an official who faces away from the machine.

The fact that Dallas won the lottery is nothing short of a miracle, yet there’s nothing dubious about it.

Regardless, after the drawing, Riccardi paced before a temporary podium, the room sealed until the broadcast reveal to prevent any leaks. While most of the Mavericks’ team dined off-site, oblivious to the unfolding events, Riccardi was anxious to share the thrilling news. Just a day earlier, the Mavericks seemed out of luck; by Monday, they were back in the game, fueled by a stroke of fortune.