Cooper Flagg Did Not Seem Too Interested In the Dallas Mavericks

Duke star Cooper Flagg didn’t seem too interested in the Dallas Mavericks after the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago on Monday. Flagg, 18, sat down for an interview with ESPN afterward. Read on for Flagg’s interview and much more. 

Cooper Flagg Sits Down For An Interview 

Cooper Flagg sat down for an interview with ESPN after the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery on Monday. ESPN asked, “What a wild ride for you, huh? What was going through your mind as you were experiencing this and seeing the draft lottery take place?” Flagg responded, “Yeah, I mean it’s just an incredible experience to be here, to have this opportunity. This is what I dreamed of since I was a little kid. So, just to be here it’s an incredible experience and a great opportunity.”

ESPN then asked, “You’re working out for the draft now. What are you working on in order to get better so when you step onto the floor as an NBA player, you’re at your best?” Flagg responded, “I mean, I think for me, it’s always about just getting better all-around. It’s not one specific thing that I’m looking at. It’s just a collective group of things, and just trying to get all-around better every single day.”

Flagg’s Outlook

ESPN’s interview with Cooper Flagg didn’t stop there. ESPN asked, “The Dallas Mavericks made it known that they look for two-way players, guys [who] defend. That’s what bring home championships, and that’s why they traded Luka Doncic. You are a two-way player playing alongside Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving. What are you looking forward to?”

Flagg responded, “Like I said, this entire experience for me has been amazing. So, going forward, I’m just going to look forward to that. Like you said, being a two-way player, that’s something that I’ve done since I was a little kid. So, I’m just going to try and keep doing that to the best of my abilities.” 

ESPN then asked, “Cooper, Dallas, this is a good team. Did you see this coming? I mean, you must have thought about where you might be going. I’m surprised, but you’re going to a very kind of built team already. That’s pretty unusual for what I think, being the top pick.” Flagg responded, “I didn’t try and think about it too much. I feel like it was out of my control, so I’m just kind of going through the process like everybody else and just trying to enjoy every single moment because we only get to do this once.”

Final Thoughts

Cooper Flagg didn’t seem too interested in speaking about the Dallas Mavericks, but that’s understandable. Flagg was viewed as the consensus No. 1 pick and a player the Mavericks’ front office would want after being named the Naismith National Player of the Year. Flagg, a former Duke star forward, averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game in his lone season in Durham, North Carolina. 

The Mavericks might trade the No. 1 pick at the 2025 NBA Draft. This might sound absurd, but the Mavericks’ trade of Luka Doncic shows none of the team’s decisions are off-limits. If the Mavericks make a second shocking trade, Flagg would be a solid fit for any NBA team. But, for now, the Mavericks should focus on Flagg and Dereck Lively II in the frontcourt. Both Flagg and Lively II, 21, can handle the defense.