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Cooper Flagg has broken his silence over wild conspiracy theories regarding the 2025 NBA Draft, after being selected as the first pick by the Dallas Mavericks.
The Mavericks won the lottery for the draft months ago, giving them the rights to select Duke University freshman forward Flagg – who became the first white American to be taken first-overall in 48 years.
However, many conspiracy theories surfaced online after Dallas were given the first pick – given that they had a mere 1.8 per cent chance of doing so.
Some fans on social media claimed that the Mavericks were given the favorable pick after their controversial trade of Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers last season.
However, Flagg was asked about the wild theories shortly after being selected by Dallas and gave his take on the matter.
One reporter asked: ‘There are tons of rumors that the NBA gave Dallas the pick to get you in exchange for Luka Doncic, do you have any reaction to that?’
Cooper Flagg became the first white American player taken first in the NBA Draft in 48 years
Fans online suggested that the Mavericks were given the first pick after trading Luka Doncic
Flagg replied: ‘Nope! I don’t know what to say about that.
‘I have no insider information, if that’s what you’re looking for. I just feel blessed for the way it all worked out’.
It’s hardly shocking that the Mavericks made this move. Flagg had been pegged as the top pick in this year’s draft class ever since he re-classified to the Class of 2025 to join Duke a year early.
Flagg, a native of Newport, Maine, is the clearest-cut first-overall pick since Victor Wembanyama and the most obvious American first-overall pick since fellow Duke star Zion Williamson in 2019.
In college, Flagg was named National Player of the Year, was a consensus first-team All-American, and led the Blue Devils to the Final Four.
Unfortunately for Flagg, he missed Duke’s final shot of the game to blow a massive lead to Houston and failed to advance to the national title game.
His arrival gives new hope to a Mavericks team and fanbase still reeling from the Luka Doncic trade back in February.
Losing Doncic led to the Mavericks missing out of the playoffs and many Dallas fans calling for Harrison to be fired.
The Dallas Mavericks didn’t surprise anyone by picking Flagg first in the NBA Draft
Now, Flagg will form an elite trio with Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis.
However, Irving’s long-term future with the team remains up in the air as he’s in talks with the team on a contract extension.
Prior to the draft beginning, Flagg and other top prospects in the NBA Draft took to the red carpet – showing off their style on one of the league’s biggest nights of the year.
Flagg arrived in a dark navy suit paired with a white shirt, black tie, and an expensive looking watch.
