Stephen A. Smith’s ‘White Boy’ Narrative Around Cooper Flagg Causes Turmoil in NBA Community

Dallas Mavericks could skip on Cooper Flagg and trade the No. 1 overall pick for a superstar or asset package to win titles now.

Stephen A. Smith’s ‘White Boy’ Narrative Around Cooper Flagg Causes Turmoil in NBA Community

Stephen A. Smith believes Dallas Mavericks should keep 'White Boy' Cooper Flagg (Image via FirstSportz)

The Dallas Mavericks won the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery, which means they can select whoever they want with the No. 1 overall pick. Most likely, that will be Duke sensation Cooper Flagg, as many believe he is the generational prospect any team would love to have.

Rumors of draft lottery rigging and other conspiracy theories are running wild across basketball communities. Fans believe the Mavericks got the green light to trade away Luka Doncic on the assurance that the league would gift them Flagg.

Gaining a generational player, along with a standout center and a good role player, are decent rewards for letting go of their franchise cornerstone. But some other rumors are brewing that suggest that the Dallas Mavericks could trade that pick in exchange for another superstar or other assets.

They could use players who can help them win now, considering Flagg will need a season or two to adjust to the physicality of the NBA. But Stephen A. Smith is not for this idea. Instead, he gave a different reason for the Mavericks to pick Cooper Flagg No. 1 come June.

When you’ve got somebody with that kind of potential and they’re white and you are in America, you keep that dude. In Dallas, Texas, if you have an opportunity to take Cooper Flagg, you take Cooper Flagg.

Stephen A. Smith said

While speaking with his First Take co-panelists, he added that in Texas, everything is different. Having a white American down there will send the Dallas Mavericks fanbase into a frenzy for the next decade at least. He believes Flagg is the next great white American after Larry Bird, and the Mavericks should not let him go.

Basketball fans tear into Stephen A. Smith for ‘shameful’ Cooper Flagg take

Basketball fans watching this take were shaking their heads in disbelief. They felt that Stephen A. Smith just could not help himself but make it about race. Even though the ESPN analyst did talk about Cooper Flagg’s prodigious talent, his race-laced rhetoric dominated the two minutes he spent giving his opinion.

Fans believe it was shameful of the veteran journalist to bring race into this discussion when it is clear as night and day that Flagg is a step above the other prospects available in this upcoming draft. Therefore, taking the race route was inexplicable. Check out examples of such discussions below.

Basketball fans believe Smith could have talked about how the city of Dallas and the still-hurting Mavericks fan base would be healed if they got Flagg. But instead, he talked about the marketability and how a white boy instantly uplifts the majority white fanbase.

Mavericks not trading No. 1 overall pick

Considering how many scouts, coaches, and GMs think of Cooper Flagg, some might dial GM Nico Harrison‘s number. They could tempt Harrison and the Mavericks’ ownership with a deal they might not want to refuse. But at least for now, they are going to refuse all propositions, as ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported.

Dallas Mavericks set on selecting Cooper Flagg 1st overall
Dallas Mavericks set on selecting Cooper Flagg 1st overall (Image via Open Source/X)

Patrick Dumont, the governor of the Dallas Mavericks, recognizes the gift horse that was delivered to this franchise. He recognizes just how much Cooper Flagg would help mitigate their concerns. The Dallas Mavericks will be picking Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick.

Tim MacMahon said

MacMahon was essentially answering SportsCenter host Shae Cornette‘s question about the possibility of the Mavericks looking at trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Greek Freak is reportedly available after missing out on another chance to compete for the NBA title.

He would instantly elevate the Dallas Mavericks. But considering that Flagg can help win their fans back, and provide championship-level basketball for at least the next decade, makes it senseless to trade the pick away.

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