Nico Harrison pulled off one of the most earth-shattering trades in NBA history when he moved Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
After winning the NBA Draft Lottery on Monday night, it doesn’t appear the Dallas Mavericks general manager has another move like that in him.
According to multiple reports, Harrison and the Mavericks have every intention of keeping the top overall pick in the upcoming draft and will select Duke freshman Cooper Flagg.
It’s the likely thing to happen, but considering the major move that Harrison pulled off in the winter, a trade couldn’t be ruled out until now.
Dallas only had a 1.8 percent chance of winning the top selection in this summer’s draft, but somehow eeked out the in-state rival San Antonio spurs for the No. 1 pick.
While the Mavericks could likely have received their pick of potentially available All-Stars – like Giannis Antetokounmpo – the team has instead decided to keep the pick.
Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison won’t be trading the first overall pick
It gives the Mavericks the chance to select a generational player in Cooper Flagg
Mavs governor Patrick Dumont calls Flagg a ‘gift’ for a team that is without three straight first-overall picks over the course of the next four seasons
Mavericks owner and governor Patrick Dumont is reportedly viewing Flagg as a ‘gift’ for the franchise, per ESPN’s Tim McMahon.
Flagg has been viewed as the de-facto No. 1 overall pick in this draft before he even laced up his shoes for a college game.
But when he started his college career, that became clear. Flagg won five of the six National Player of the Year awards and led the Blue Devils to the Final Four.
Now, Flagg will join a Mavericks team led by veterans Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and Anthony Davis.
The chance to pick Flagg is crucial, considering Dallas doesn’t have a first-round pick for three of the next four years.
Dallas’ victory in the lottery drew ire from some NBA fans, who believe the process was rigged in the Mavericks’ favor.
The Spurs will hold the second overall pick while the third pick belongs to the Philadelphia 76ers.
