Dallas Mavericks normal supervisor Nico Harrison has been beneath fireplace since buying and selling franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic. Now, he and the Mavs have the prospect to draft a brand new franchise participant with the No. 1 decide within the 2025 NBA Draft.
The Mavericks had solely a 1.8% probability to get the No. 1 decide within the draft lottery, the Eleventh-worst odds among the many 14 lottery groups. Because the ping pong balls went of their favor, they’ve an opportunity at Duke freshman Cooper Flagg, anticipated to be the highest total decide.
It is the second time in three years {that a} disastrous finish of the season has ended up favorably for the Mavericks. Late within the 2022-23 season, the Mavericks benched gamers on the finish of the season to keep away from the play-in event and shedding their prime 10-protected decide to the New York Knicks. They saved the decide, and their choice, middle Dereck Full of life II, helped the workforce attain the NBA Finals.
This 12 months, after going 9-17 after the All-Star break, the Mavericks have the prospect so as to add one other Duke phenom. Flagg is taken into account a can’t-miss prospect who has an opportunity to instantly proper the ship for a Mavericks franchise that was reeling due to the lack of Doncic and accidents alongside the entire roster.
It is an particularly fortunate draw for the Mavericks as a result of they do not management their very own first-round decide from 2027-30. That can make it troublesome so as to add younger expertise round Flagg, but it surely’s actually higher than attempting to construct a contender with out a stud prospect.
The Mavericks will probably be with out All-Star Kyrie Irving for many of subsequent season as a consequence of damage, however now, they’re going to have assist for middle Anthony Davis. And Harrison would possibly simply win again the goodwill of his fan base.
