After a tumultuous time following the Luka Dončić trade, the Dallas Mavericks’ hope train was at an all-time low until last night, when they received a surprise package in the form of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
On Tuesday, Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers expressed her excitement for the potential arrival of Cooper Flagg in the city. Flagg is expected to be drafted with the first pick in this year’s draft. For just the second time in history, a city has held the No. 1 overall picks in the NBA and WNBA drafts in the same year.
Paige Bueckers Can’t Wait for Cooper Flagg’s Potential Arrival
Most experts have very little doubt about who the Mavericks will pick in the draft. The Duke guard averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in college. That’s not all, he also averaged 1.4 blocks and 1.4 steals a game, and guards the perimeter efficiently.
“That’s another thing, that I didn’t think it was real at first,” Bueckers told reporters on Tuesday. “I think 1.8% odds to get the first pick. But I believe God makes no mistakes, so that happened for a reason.”
The last time a city landed both the NBA and WNBA No. 1 picks was in 2003. The Cleveland Rockers drafted LaToya Thomas, while the Cleveland Cavaliers drafted LeBron James, and let’s just say the rest is history.
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“I know Cooper doesn’t take it for granted that he is the No. 1 pick as of right now, and he’ll wait for his name to be called.,” Bueckers said. “But, if that’s the case, which most likely will be, that will be super exciting for the entire organization. To add him to a championship-level team is a very nice addition.”
Dallas Wings No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers on the Mavs winning the NBA draft lottery and potentially securing Cooper Flagg: “…I didn’t think [it] was real at first … but I believe God makes no mistakes.” pic.twitter.com/F9egQ0FjGV
— Myah Taylor (@t_myah) May 13, 2025
The Mavericks could slot Flagg into the starting lineup from the beginning of the next NBA season, which would help them compete for the NBA Championship. If everyone is fit, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis, and Daniel Gafford make for a formidable starting five.
It seems like it is once again an exciting time to be a fan of Dallas basketball. Bueckers and Flagg were stars in college and could bring that same level of performance to their leagues.
