Lakers LeBron James reacts to Mavericks landing No. 1 pick, expected to select Duke's Cooper Flagg
The Dallas Mavericks have unexpectedly secured the first overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, a pick they are anticipated to use on Duke's standout forward Cooper Flagg. Despite having only a 1.8% chance of winning the lottery, the Mavericks now have the opportunity to add Flagg, a player who has impressed analysts with potential to become a top-tier NBA talent. This unexpected lottery result has resonated throughout the league, eliciting reactions from figures such as LeBron James, who expressed amusement on social media. Flagg, who has been a dominant force since high school, has validated his potential during his time at Duke, making him a clear favorite for the top pick. His integration into the Mavericks' veteran-heavy roster positions him to potentially contend for an NBA championship even in his rookie season.
Context:
The Dallas Mavericks have unexpectedly secured the first overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, a pick they are anticipated to use on Duke's standout forward Cooper Flagg. Despite having only a 1.8% chance of winning the lottery, the Mavericks now have the opportunity to add Flagg, a player who has impressed analysts with potential to become a top-tier NBA talent. This unexpected lottery result has resonated throughout the league, eliciting reactions from figures such as LeBron James, who expressed amusement on social media. Flagg, who has been a dominant force since high school, has validated his potential during his time at Duke, making him a clear favorite for the top pick. His integration into the Mavericks' veteran-heavy roster positions him to potentially contend for an NBA championship even in his rookie season.
Dive Deeper:
The Dallas Mavericks have defied the odds by winning the first overall pick in the NBA Draft with only a 1.8% chance, marking one of the lowest probabilities for a lottery winner in history.
Cooper Flagg, a forward from Duke, has emerged as the standout prospect and is expected to be the top pick due to his impressive performances that have changed analysts' perceptions of his potential.
Flagg's potential to be a franchise-caliber player has been recognized after his exceptional season at Duke, where he showcased skills that could place him among the top players in the NBA.
The unexpected draft lottery result has caused a stir in the basketball community, with notable reactions including LeBron James, who humorously acknowledged the outcome on social media.
Flagg's anticipated move to the Mavericks means he will join an experienced roster, offering him a chance to compete for an NBA championship potentially as early as his first season.
The NBA Draft is just over a month away, and on Monday night, the lottery teams finally learned their draft positions. Heading into the evening, the Utah Jazz, Charlotte Hornets, and Washington Wizards held the highest odds of landing the first overall pick.
Typically, when the No. 1 pick is at stake, a team has multiple prospects to consider. However, this year, there’s a clear favorite: Duke’s Cooper Flagg, who has taken the basketball world by storm since his senior year of high school. Flagg validated the hype during his lone season at Duke, showcasing his potential at the next level.
Even analysts have changed their stance on him.
“I wasn’t sure Cooper Flagg could be a guy you could build an NBA franchise around … until this past season at Duke. His ceiling is that of a Top 5–10 player in the league,” Jeff Goodman said.
Although Goodman now believes Flagg is a franchise-caliber player, it appears he won’t be joining a rebuilding team. Instead, he’s expected to land on a veteran-heavy roster. The Dallas Mavericks defied the odds to win the first overall pick, despite having just a 1.8% chance.
“The Dallas Mavericks won the NBA Draft lottery Monday night, giving them the No. 1 pick in June’s draft and the chance to take Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg. The Mavericks entered the lottery with only a 1.8% chance of winning the first pick — the fourth-lowest odds for a lottery winner in NBA history,” Rohan NadKarni wrote.
The unexpected outcome sent shockwaves through the league. Even NBA legend LeBron James reacted on social media with laughing emojis.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
— LeBron James (@KingJames) May 12, 2025 Barring any surprises, Flagg is expected to begin his NBA journey in Dallas. Not only will he join an experienced roster, but he could also be in position to contend for a championship as early as his rookie year.