The Mavericks reportedly plan to draft Cooper Flagg, and the Duke prospect will help them contend in the Western Conference.

Mar 3, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts as he heads to the bench during the second half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils won 93-60. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images / Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

The college basketball legend spoke about Flagg’s skill set a day after the Dallas Mavericks won the NBA draft lottery, setting themselves up to select Flagg with the top pick in June. Krzyzewski recalled seeing Flagg play at Montverde Academy as a high schooler.

The Dallas Mavericks acquired the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft lottery on Sunday. Having traded Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in February, they now plan to use that pick on Cooper Flagg.

On this episode of Good Word with Goodwill, Vince and Blake Griffin react to the Dallas Mavericks winning the NBA Draft Lottery and what Cooper Flagg could expect as the potential No.1 pick. Later, Vince and Dwyane Wade take a look at Anthony Edward’s early success and why his slaying of legends such as LeBron James and Kevin Durant is so

During the prime of his career, Mavericks great Dirk Nowitzki often was unfairly compared to Larry Bird. Potentially, eventually, Flagg might be the much better Bird comp because of his two-way abilities; he’s more athletic than Bird and Nowitzki.

The Washington Wizards will have the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, which is just about the worst-case scenario for their franchise.

This is emphatically not the situation Cooper Flagg is about to walk into. If everything goes right, the Mavericks -- who improbably won the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft on Monday night -- could genuinely contend for the 2026 championship.