Former #1 Pick Mocks Impending Cooper Flagg Selection by Dallas Mavericks With Lakers Trade Idea

The Dallas Mavericks have ended up winning the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes, neutralizing the Luka Doncic trade to the Lakers.

Former #1 Pick Mocks Impending Cooper Flagg Selection by Dallas Mavericks With Lakers Trade Idea

NBA fans cannot believe the Mavs landed Cooper Flagg pick (Image via FirstSportz)

It is safe to say that the 2025 NBA Draft lottery has yielded the funniest outcome possible. With Cooper Flagg up for grabs as the number 1 overall pick, the Dallas Mavericks have an opportunity to run a two-timeline approach. Unlike the ’20-21 Warriors, Dallas has two amazingly talented offensive options to surround Flagg with. Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving are two of the NBA’s most productive #1 picks ever.

The Mavericks getting their first lottery win during the very season they traded away Luka Doncic has incensed many NBA fans. It is almost a universal consensus among basketball fans that the draft lottery was rigged in some way. This is despite numerous run-throughs done every year to demonstrate how consulting firm EY conducts the lottery. It is clear that fans’ faith in the NBA’s administration is currently at an all-time low.

Mychal Thompson has some experience in what No. 1 overall picks go through. After all, the Bahamian was the first overseas player to go #1 in the draft, back in 1978. The former Lakers backup center has been a veteran presence on Lakers-focused multimedia and news since retirement. A beloved radio announcer, Thompson’s words carry their weight in gold with Lakers fans from their Showtime Era.

Thompson took to Twitter/X to express his thoughts on how the draft lottery went. As a Lakers fan, Thompson managed to conjure up a scenario even more surprising than the events of this season. The 70-year-old had a joke up his sleeve that a lot of fans would deem ‘twisted’, but fits perfectly in with his personality.

And the good thing is Luka will only be 31 wen Dallas trades Coop to the Lakers in 5 years…

Mychal Thompson tweeted

Thompson’s tweet is a reflection of how crazy the Luka Doncic trade seemed in the weeks after it went through. It was so surreal that even 100 days after, many NBA fans are still coming to terms with it. It has also convinced the majority of the league’s fans that the Lakers can (and will) trade for any up-and-coming star. Thompson’s joke, upsetting as it may sound to other fans, is an illustration of how the average fan currently feels.

Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving form a championship core

Cooper Flagg is one of the most NBA-ready upcoming #1 draft picks of all time. The Duke product had NBA superstars gushing in praise about his defensive abilities during the Paris Olympics camp. Since then, he has only built on his skillset while at Duke, maturing into an all-round contributor on both ends. Flagg has demonstrated the ability to put offenses on his back, both as a playmaker and as a scorer.

Flagg’s athleticism, reach and feel for the game will be great complements to Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis. Having three #1 overall picks would undoubtedly give the Mavericks the very championship boost they needed. Irving, who suffered an ACL tear in February, should likely be back in action and firing midseason. Davis will also have a full offseason to put the injury troubles of the ongoing season behind him.

The Mavericks have among the most well-rounded rosters in basketball even without Flagg. Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall, Dereck Lively, Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington are all great role players for any NBA star to play alongside. The team has the wherewithal to take on any Western Conference team’s depth, even without Flagg.

This is almost the perfect situation for the Duke forward to come in and become an impact player. The only comparable situation in the recent past would be Jayson Tatum being drafted to the Celtics in 2017.

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