ESPN Facing Backlash Over Unexpected Mavericks Decision After Cooper Flagg Pick originally appeared on Athlon Sports. After finishing his Duke Blue Devils career with a loss in the Final Four, Cooper Flagg is now officially in the NBA, joining the Dallas Mavericks.

With the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, the Dallas Mavericks are widely expected to select Duke’s Cooper Flagg.

The drama was non-existent in Wednesday’s first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. Cooper Flagg was presumed to be the pick all along for the Dallas Mavericks at No. 1 overall, making the official announcement from NBA commissioner Adam Silver all but a formality.