A cold February night as the world buzzed with confusion, and breaking news alerts flashed across phones: Luka Dončić was headed to Los Angeles.
The trade sent shockwaves through the league—and left Dallas fans stunned.
From Finals to Freefall
During the 2024–25 NBA season, the Dallas Mavericks were supposed to build on the momentum of their Finals appearance the year before. Fans imagined a return to Playoff glory. Instead, they witnessed a season of chaos.
From the start, things felt off. Chemistry issues emerged early, defensive breakdowns piled up, and the team couldn’t string together wins. Even with two All-NBA talents—Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving—something was missing.
By January, rumors swirled around the front office. Changes were coming, but no one expected what happened next.
The Luka Deal That Shook the League
On February 1, 2025, just hours before the trade deadline, the Mavericks shocked the basketball world by trading Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis and draft considerations.
“Trading Luka wasn’t just a basketball decision—it was an organizational reset,” Head Coach Jason Kidd said. “You never want to move a player like that, but we felt it was time to take a different direction.”
Fans were heartbroken. Jerseys were burned. Social media exploded.
Yet behind the scenes, Dallas leadership remained calm.
General Manager Nico Harrison said, “We had to think long-term. We didn’t want to be stuck in mediocrity. This gave us flexibility and a new foundation.”
More Setbacks Follow
If the Dončić trade was a shock, the next blow felt like a curse. In March, Kyrie Irving tore his ACL during a road game in Phoenix. With their two biggest stars now unavailable, the Mavericks spiraled further.
They finished the season with one of the worst records in the league.
The Mavericks ended the year with a 39-43 record. Morale was low, the stands half-full.
Still, behind closed doors, the front office kept their focus.
A Slim Chance—and a Franchise First
On May 12, the NBA Draft Lottery took place. Dallas entered the night with just a 1.8% chance at the No. 1 pick.
What happened next was nothing short of miraculous.
“Dallas has moved up…” the announcer said. Cheers erupted at the Mavericks draft party. When the final envelope was opened, it was official: the Mavericks had won the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery.
It was the first time in franchise history the team had moved up in the lottery—and the first time ever they earned the top pick.
“We couldn’t believe it,” said Assistant GM Michael Finley. “After everything we’d been through this season, this felt like the universe giving us a second chance.”
A New Era Begins
Now, with the No. 1 pick in hand and a young core still developing—including Dereck Lively II and Jaden Hardy—the Mavericks are poised to rebuild with intention.
Fans are starting to believe again. Season ticket sales are ticking upward. Optimism is replacing frustration.
All Eyes on Cooper Flagg
With the draft quickly approaching, one name has surfaced as the overwhelming favorite to be selected first overall: Cooper Flagg.
The 6’9″ forward out of Duke has drawn comparisons to legends like Kevin Durant and Larry Bird, combining elite athleticism with a high basketball IQ and defensive versatility. Scouts rave about his motor, maturity, and ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor.
“Flagg is a franchise-changing player,” said ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony. “He’s the type of talent you build around for the next decade.”
Multiple reports indicate that the Mavericks are locked in on Flagg. He’s already visited Dallas for a private workout, and sources close to the organization suggest he impressed everyone in the building.
For Mavericks fans, the future is finally starting to feel hopeful again—and it’s wearing No. 1 on draft night.
Tune into The Roundup for more coverage on the future of the Dallas Mavericks!
Sources
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NBA.com Staff. “NBA Draft Lottery 2025: Mavericks Win No. 1 Pick Despite 1.8% Odds.” NBA.com, May 12, 2025.
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Wojnarowski, Adrian. “Luka Dončić Traded to Lakers in Blockbuster Deal for Anthony Davis.” ESPN.com, Feb 1, 2025.
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MacMahon, Tim. “Kyrie Irving Out for Season with Torn ACL, Mavericks Announce.” ESPN.com, March 10, 2025.
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Givony, Jonathan. “Cooper Flagg the Heavy Favorite to Go No. 1 in 2025 NBA Draft.” ESPN Draft Board, Updated May 2025.
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The Athletic NBA Staff. “Inside the Mavericks’ Tumultuous Season and Draft Lottery Miracle.” The Athletic, May 13, 2025.
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Stein, Marc. “Sources: Dallas High on Cooper Flagg After Private Workout.” Substack: The Stein Line, May 2025.
