Duke star Cooper Flagg admits Mavericks are keeping him in the dark about No. 1 pick

It’s nan time of nan 2025 NBA Draft—a infinitesimal that has been eagerly anticipated since Florida won nan National Championship backmost successful April. Throughout nan full process, however, Duke’s Cooper Flagg has consistently been projected arsenic nan first wide pick. And pinch conscionable a fewer hours remaining earlier nan draught begins, that still appears to beryllium nan guidance things are heading.

Dallas has done everything imaginable to hint that Flagg is their guy. It started pinch them being nan only squad to activity him out. Then, reports emerged that he has already been eating pinch Mavericks players.

“After a Tuesday meal pinch squad officials successful Dallas, Flagg had meal connected Wednesday pinch Mavericks players, according to NBA insider Marc Stein,” Bleacher Report’s Julia Stumbaugh wrote.

The Mavericks are successful statement to draught Flagg, which has Duke caput coach Jon Scheyer believing Flagg will transportation connected a winning tradition.

“Dallas has been fortunate for galore years," Scheyer said. "They've been capable to watch Dirk, Luka—so galore winning teams. Now, you've sewage a feline successful Cooper, who I deliberation will transportation that contented forward."

As if nan No. 1 prime hype wasn’t enough, LeBron James has besides expressed assurance successful Flagg’s future.

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“I personally deliberation that he wants to beryllium great. He had a h**l of a twelvemonth astatine Duke. A feline that tin do truthful galore different things retired connected nan floor. Can play pinch nan ball, tin play without nan ball. His jump changeable is going to proceed to get better. Super athletic, speedy 2nd jump," James said.

Still, contempt each nan speculation, Flagg confirmed that he hasn’t received immoderate charismatic connection from Dallas.

“I haven’t had that speech astatine all,” Flagg said. “I’m conscionable going done this process for illustration everybody else. I did my workout, truthful I’m conscionable going to spot what happens tomorrow night.”

While astir expect Flagg to onshore successful Dallas, Mavericks GM Nico Harrison has a estimation for making astonishing decisions. Passing connected Flagg would beryllium shocking—but based connected his ain comments, it can’t beryllium wholly ruled out.