Everyone s expectations: Flag was elected No. 1 pick and started with Irving Davis

Dallas - As expected, the Dallas Mavericks selected forward Cooper Flagg with the first pick in today's 2025 NBA draft.

Despite the odds of only 1.8%, Dallas won the draft draw, giving the Mavericks a chance to choose Flag. After he graduated from high school a year early to enter college, Flag is widely regarded as the most favored player in this draft. Flag, who was 6 feet 8 inches (2.02 meters) and weighed 221 pounds (100.3 kg), turned 19 until December 21. He came to Duke University with great expectations and proved his worth. He was recognized as the "American Player of the Year" and has won several national Player of the Year honors, including the Wood Award and the Naismith Award. He averaged 19.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.4 steals per game, and led the Blue Devils to a record of 35 wins and 4 losses, and advanced to the National Final Four.

The Dallas Mavericks were shockingly sending five-time all-NBA roster Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers with a big deal, Flagg arrived in Dallas, a deal that angered the team's fan base, which also made it to the NBA Finals the previous season. Flag's addition is expected to alleviate the major business problems the team faces after the Doncic trade.

Frager joins a Dallas team that is eager to achieve good results immediately in the Western Conference. Previously, the team experienced a 39-43-loss season with wounded soldiers, and was eliminated in the final preseason. Flag is expected to enter the team's starting lineup immediately, playing alongside powerful inside players, including 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis, center Derek Leviley II and Daniel Gafford, as well as forwards P.J. Washington, Najib Marshall and Kaleb Martin.