In a surprising twist following their improbable NBA Draft Lottery win, the Dallas Mavericks are reportedly unwilling to trade the No. 1 overall pick even if a deal could land them Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Despite having just a 1.8% chance, Dallas secured the top selection in next month’s draft. The timing couldn’t be better, as the franchise looks to turn a new page after the controversial February trade that sent Luka Doncic elsewhere. Now in position to draft elite prospect Cooper Flagg, the Mavericks have a chance to add a long-term cornerstone.
Since landing the pick, speculation has swirled about whether Dallas might flip it for an established superstar to pair with Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis. The goal: make a serious push for a championship over the next few seasons. But according to NBA insider Marc Stein, the organization has made its position clear.
“When I asked someone close to the situation if Dallas would consider trading the No. 1 pick and the chance to draft Cooper Flagg, I was flatly told: ‘No chance,’” Stein reported. “No … not even for Giannis [Antetokounmpo],” the source emphasized.
Antetokounmpo could become available this summer, following Milwaukee’s third consecutive early playoff exit. While many consider him one of the few players worth trading a top pick for, Dallas reportedly feels differently.
Having already parted with a young franchise player in Doncic, the team seems more focused on bringing in a fresh face fans can rally around. With Davis, Irving, and Giannis all having dealt with injuries in recent seasons, the Mavericks appear to prefer betting on Flagg’s potential and long-term durability over adding another injury-prone veteran even one as dominant as Antetokounmpo.
