How Cooper Flagg saved the Mavericks after losing Luka Dončić… before even signing

The Dallas Mavericks haven’t even drafted Cooper Flagg yet, but the impact of his arrival is already being felt—especially where it matters most: the bottom line.

May 12 turned out to be nothing short of a miracle for the Mavericks. Despite holding just a 1.8% chance of landing the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the lottery gods smiled on Dallas, handing them a golden opportunity to rewrite a disastrous chapter in franchise history.

Doncic departure damages Mavs reputation

Just months ago, the team traded away superstar Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis—a move that sparked outrage across the fanbase and triggered a spiral of injuries, most notably Kyrie Irving’s season-ending blow that could sideline him for nearly a year. The Mavericks’ playoff hopes evaporated, Davis picked up another knock, and the entire organization found itself in a reputational free fall. Disillusionment spread from fans to front office to ownership. But now, thanks to the lottery—and some might say fate—the Mavs have a shot at redemption.

Who is Cooper Flagg? Flagg fever grips Dallas

The Mavericks have confirmed they’ll hold onto the No. 1 pick and make their selection this week in New York. The Spurs and Sixers round out the top three. But there’s no drama at the top: Cooper Flagg is their guy.

The 6-foot-9 forward from Maine, a breakout star at Duke and widely viewed as a future NBA superstar, recently visited Dallas to meet team president Nico Harrison, head coach Jason Kidd, and tour the facilities. He even sat down for a dinner with team brass to discuss his fit in the franchise’s long-term plans. It’s a done deal in all but official paperwork.

The Mavs envision Flagg primarily playing as a small forward but with flexibility to slide to power forward—lining him up alongside center Dereck Lively and Anthony Davis. The goal is to lighten Davis’ defensive workload, something he’s long requested dating back to his time with the Lakers. This would allow him to operate more on the perimeter and preserve his health over a grueling 82-game season.

Flagg will join a core that includes contract-year bigs P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford, plus wings and guards like Amen Thompson, Naji Marshall, Max Christie, Jaden Hardy, and Caleb Martin. Dwight Powell exercised his player option and will return as well.

Sources close to Flagg’s camp have told local media that he’s thrilled with the roster and believes the team is built to compete from day one. While Irving’s absence will undoubtedly leave a hole in terms of leadership and playmaking, the presence of seasoned vets should ease Flagg’s transition to the NBA. In fact, his arrival could spark a ripple effect—drawing other top-tier players who want to play alongside a potential franchise cornerstone.

Flagg’s Mavs arrival sparks immediate business rebound

Beyond the court, Flagg’s mere presence is already changing the Mavericks’ financial outlook.

The franchise—sold by Mark Cuban to the Adelson family for $3.5 billion—had been reeling since Dončić’s departure. The blockbuster trade that sent him to LA in exchange for Davis alienated fans, many of whom dismissed the “defense wins championships” rationale as flimsy justification for losing one of the most gifted offensive players of this generation. Social media backlash quickly morphed into real-world consequences, with Mavs president Nico Harrison receiving threats and facing unprecedented pressure over the controversial deal.

The fallout hit the bottom line hard. Early projections estimated the Mavs stood to lose tens of millions in the 2025/26 season alone. Over the longer term, the damage could have ballooned past $100 million. Thousands of fans canceled their season tickets. Merch sales plummeted. Sponsors walked.

Enter Cooper Flagg.

Within 72 hours of the lottery announcement—and the implicit promise of drafting the most hyped college player in years—ticket sales rebounded by $7 million, according to team CEO Rick Welts. And Flagg hasn’t even put on a Mavericks jersey yet.

Cooper Flagg: the new face of the Mavericks

Flagg isn’t just a generational talent. He’s a marketing dream. An American oozing star potential, he’s being positioned as the spiritual successor to Dirk Nowitzki—a new hope to follow the shadows of Dirk and Luka.

Dallas fans have ridden a rollercoaster of heartbreak and euphoria over the past year. But now, with Cooper Flagg on the horizon, optimism is returning. The franchise is regaining its footing. The buzz is back. And while the Mavs haven’t signed him yet, one thing is already certain: the Cooper Flagg era has begun.

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