Tue Jun 24 1:28pm ET
Field Level Media
A whirlwind four months for the Dallas Mavericks begins anew Wednesday with the launch of the Cooper Flagg era.
The draft lottery in May turned into an unexpected gift for the Mavericks when they jumped the line of teams with the NBA's worst records. Against the odds, they went from the playoff play-in tournament to the top of the 2025 draft.
Embattled Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, and a fan base miffed by the decision to trade Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers midseason, found immediate optimism.
Not only was there a direct path to land Flagg, his arrival would make him a team centerpiece along with center Anthony Davis, who was acquired from the Lakers in the Doncic deal. Point guard and former Duke product Kyrie Irving is on the mend from a torn ACL, giving Dallas three No. 1 overall selections at the core of its roster.
Flagg, a 6-foot-9 forward with franchise-altering skill and qualities, is only 18 but often looked like a man among boys in guiding Duke to the Final Four. A combo-forward with ball skills, positional size and boundless versatility, Flagg slots in to a menacing frontline next to Davis and Dereck Lively II, another Duke product.
Flagg was the Wooden Player of the Year in his only college season, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game for the Blue Devils.
"Cooper has the kind of talent that can elevate a franchise," Duke coach Jon Scheyer said of Flagg's NBA potential.
Flagg left Davis and other U.S. Olympic team members with a strong impression during scrimmages with the team last summer. One of the players raving about Flagg was LeBron James, who said this week on the "Mind the Game" podcast that Flagg couldn't have picked a better situation to start his NBA career.
"A guy that can do so many different things out on the floor. Can play with the ball, can play without the ball. His jump shot is going to continue to get better. Super athletic, quick second jump," James said. "And also, he has the benefit, unlike myself, he gets to join a team that's established with Hall of Fame guys -- Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving -- right off the bat. Hall of Fame coach, Jason Kidd.
"You know, these guys ... can give him the whole blueprint while he continues to learn what his blueprint will be. And I think that will be an incredible thing to have that type of presence, that type of leadership, that type of just basketball IQ and knowledge around him every single day from those pieces. So, I think he's going to be amazing."
San Antonio had only a 6.3 percent chance of a top two selection when the draft lottery took place but the Spurs also beat the odds. San Antonio has lived in the draft lottery for several years and have hit more often than they've missed with Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Jeremy Sochan selected in the top 10 since 2022.
Rutgers guard Dylan Harper is a favorite to wind up as the next piece of the puzzle in the San Antonio rebuild over in-state option V.J. Edgecombe, who starred in his only season at Baylor and appears destined to play for the Philadelphia 76ers.
"His length is crazy, and I don't think you can undervalue how important length and athleticism are in the NBA. He's strong, really has a great court sense," ESPN analyst Jay Bilas said of Harper. "In my view, he's the second-best prospect in this draft. He's a clear choice after Cooper Flagg for the Spurs."
Either team could be prepared to pull a surprise and commit to another Rutgers product in Ace Bailey, who has raised criticism and concern by refusing to work out in traditional pre-draft sessions.
76ers forward Paul George said this week Bailey is putting his future on the line and taking a senseless risk in trying to dictate his landing spot in the draft.
"You're not in a position to be making those commands. Make it to the league first," George said of Bailey's decision not to work out for teams.
Flagg's college teammates and fellow freshmen at Duke, sharpshooter Kon Knueppel and 7-footer Khaman Maluach, are likely to find homes in the lottery with two freshman point guards and Texas wildcard Tre Johnson figuring prominently in the top-10 conversation.
Illinois' Kasparas Jakucionis and Oklahoma's Jeremiah Fears are natural scorers with playmaking skills attractive to the Charlotte Hornets, Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards, who select Nos. 4, 5 and 6, respectively .
New Orleans has the seventh pick with the Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors and Phoenix Suns rounding out the top 10.
Portland (11th), the Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks and a second pick for the Spurs complete the lottery (non-playoff) picks.
Phoenix Suns guard/forward Grayson Allen could be off to a new team this offseason. According to HoopsHype, Phoenix has "gauged" the trade market on Allen and Royce O'Neale. The team has just traded Kevin Durant to Houston and appears ready to make more moves after missing the playoffs in 2025. Allen has spent two seasons in Phoenix, but his role declined in 2024-25, as he made only seven starts. The veteran sharpshooter, who is a 41.4 percent career shooter from deep, averaged 10.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 24.1 minutes. While the Suns consider moving on from Allen, he should attract a lot of interest, as efficient three-point shooters are highly sought after in the league.
Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk finds his name in trade rumors just a year into a four-year, $78 million contract extension. Sources told HoopsHype that the Kings have "gauged" the trade market for Monk and fellow guard Devin Carter. Monk had a career year with the Kings in 2024-25, averaging 17.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists. However, with the newly appointed general manager, Scott Perry, reportedly active in trade talks, no one appears safe in Sacramento. Monk has been a microwave scorer off the bench for most of his career. But this season, he proved he can perform well as a starter and should remain a valuable fantasy contributor even if he changes teams in the summer.
Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford is poised to sign a three-year extension with the team. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Gafford has agreed to a deal valued at nearly $60 million. The new contract will extend through the 2028-29 NBA season. Gafford has just completed his first full season with the Mavericks, averaging a career-high 12.3 points with 6.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks. The 26-year-old, who has shot 70.9 percent from the field throughout his career, has been an excellent fit in Dallas and is expected to continue playing an integral role next season.
The Portland Trail Blazers have acquired guard Jrue Holiday from the Boston Celtics in exchange for guard Anfernee Simons and two second-round draft picks. The Celtics are trading Holiday just a year after he won the NBA championship with the team and signed a big four-year, $135 million contract extension. Moving Holiday helps Boston save money since Simons joins on an expiring contract. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Portland "aggressively" wanted to acquire Holiday, so it seems the team has big plans with the 35-year-old veteran, and we might see a strong bounce-back campaign from him in 2025-26.
The Boston Celtics have acquired guard Anfernee Simons and two second-round draft picks from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for guard Jrue Holiday. Simons is on the move after spending his entire seven-year NBA career in Portland. He will be on an expiring $27.7 million contract next season. The 26-year-old has been one of Portland's top scorers in recent years and could continue to fill a similar role in Boston, with Jayson Tatum (Achilles) sidelined. As a trigger-happy three-point shooter, Simons appears to be a good fit for Boston's offense, having averaged 8.5 attempts beyond the arc this season. Simons shot 36.3 percent from deep and notched 19.3 points with 4.8 assists.
According to NBA reporter Jake Fischer,Chicago Bulls point guard Jevon Carter will exercise his $6.8 million player option for the 2025-26 campaign. The 29-year-old finished with averages of 4.3 points, 1.1 assists and 1.1 rebounds in 8.9 minutes per contest across 36 games during his second season in a Bulls uniform. Carter will likely not be a fantasy factor during the upcoming season and could potentially have a tough time finding a regular rotation role.
According to Kelly Iko of The Athletic, the Houston Rockets will likely decline point guard Fred VanVleet's$44.9 million team option. However, Iko reports that the two sides are currently discussing a multi-year contract extension. During the 2024-25 regular season, the 31-year-old posted averages of 14.1 points, 5.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 3.7 rebounds in 35.2 minutes per contest. If VanVleet stays in a Rockets uniform, he will play alongside newly acquired star Kevin Durant during the upcoming season.
Shams Charania of ESPN reports that Washington Wizards forwardKhris Middleton (knee) has picked up his $33.3 million player option for the 2025-26 season. The 33-year-old will likely not be a significant fantasy contributor next season, as the Wizards' younger players are expected to assume additional responsibilities for the upcoming season. Middleton averaged 10.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 22.1 minutes per game across 37 games during the 2024-25 regular season campaign. He missed the final nine contests due to a right knee contusion.
According to Grant Afseth of RG.org, Indiana Pacers guardTyrese Haliburton(Achilles) will travel to New York City on Monday and is expected to undergo surgery to repair a torn right Achilles tendon. Haliburton exited the first quarter of Sunday's 103-91 loss to the Thunder in Game 7 of the NBA Finalsafter suffering the injury. He finished with nine points in seven minutes of action before being forced out of the contest. The 25-year-old could miss the entire 2025-26 regular season as recovery time is typically 9-12 months after Achilles surgery. With Haliburton out for the foreseeable future, shooting guardAndrew Nembhard will likely take on a larger role for the upcoming season.
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) won't return to Sunday's NBA Finals meeting with OKC. The 25-year-old has been dealing with a calf issue, which is nothing new. As a result, he was limited to only 23 minutes in Game 6. While Haliburton tried to give it a go for Game 7, it's evident he's not healthy. He finished with nine points in seven minutes of action before exiting. There is concern for a more significant injury, with ESPN's Lisa Salters reporting that Haliburton is dealing with an Achilles issue. He'll likely undergo further testing as soon as possible. However, if Haliburton suffered a torn Achilles, he could miss the 2025-26 campaign. DFS managers should expect more work for T.J. McConnell for the remainder of Game 7.
Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks was traded as part of a blockbuster trade to land Kevin Durant on Sunday. The Rockets are trading Brooks, Jalen Green, the 10th overall pick in 2025, and five future second-round picks in exchange for Durant. Brooks played a majority of his career with the Memphis Grizzlies before landing in Houston two seasons ago. He averaged 14.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists last season. Brooks is more known for his defensive ability, which should help this Suns team that was awful on defense last season. His offensive numbers might take a hit in Phoenix, but Brooks should still be able to offer standard league value, assuming he gets regular playing time.
Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green has traded to the Phoenix Suns as part of a blockbuster trade on Sunday. The Rockets will trade Green, Dillon Brooks, the 10th overall pick in 2025, and five second-round picks in exchange for Kevin Durant. This is a great move for the Suns to acquire a young guard in Green and a handful of picks to restock their draft capital. The biggest problem is that the Suns still have Devin Booker and Bradley Beal on their roster. Last season, Green averaged 21 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists with the Rockets. He was the primary scoring option, but is no longer going to be that in Phoenix. His production will likely go down in Phoenix, but maybe less shots will help with his inefficiency problems. This move will probably decrease his usage, but Green will still find a way to be a valuable asset.
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant was traded to the Houston Rockets in exchange for guard Jalen Green, forward Dillon Brooks, and the No. 10 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. Also, the Suns acquired five future second-round picks as well. The drama is finally over as Durant lands with one of his preferred teams. The other two teams he was interested in were the San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat. Durant has bounced around quite a bit over the last 10 years. However, Durant remains productive averaging 26 points per game or more in each of the last eight seasons. He remains one of the most consistent players in the league, so the 36-year-old will remain a top tier fantasy option regardless of the jersey he wears. The Rockets appear ready to go all-in and Durant could help give them the boost they need.
According to Michael Grange of Sportsnet, the Toronto Raptors are unwilling to include center Jakob Poeltl in a potential trade for Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant. While that could mean players like Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett aren't safe from being moved, it appears Poeltl has a secure spot on the roster, at least for now. The 29-year-old is coming off the best season of his career in his second stint in Toronto, averaging 14.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, 1.2 steals, and 67.4% shooting from the free throw line. Unfortunately, Poeltl appeared in 57 games or fewer in the last two seasons, so he'll need to figure out how to stay off the injury report before he earns more respect from fantasy managers.
According to NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, the Miami Heat are opposed to including center Kel'el Ware in a possible deal for Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant. It's safe to say Miami isn't willing to trade him at all, considering his progression throughout the 2024-25 campaign. Ware got off to a slow start in his first season in the National Basketball Association. Yet, he improved significantly toward the end of the season and would finish with averages of 9.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks. It's logical to assume the 21-year-old should see an uptick in most statistical categories next season, although a swap with Phoenix for Durant could move Bam Adebayo back to the five spot. Either way, dynasty managers must keep Ware on the roster, especially since it appears he has All-Star potential for years to come.
Dallas Mavericks forward/center Dwight Powell exercised his $4 million player option on Friday. The 33-year-old has spent nearly his entire career in Dallas. However, he's coming off arguably his worst season in the National Basketball Association, averaging 2.1 points and 2.1 rebounds in 55 games during the 2024-25 campaign. The Mavericks' roster is loaded with bigs, at least as of now, meaning Powell's statistical contributions likely won't improve. It's also hard to imagine he'll have any streaming potential for fantasy managers during the season, assuming he remains in Dallas moving ahead.
Charlotte Hornets guard Josh Green (shoulder) underwent surgery to "address instability" in his left shoulder. He is out indefinitely. The team will likely provide periodic updates over the next few months. Still, fantasy managers shouldn't count on him being on the floor to begin the 2025-26 campaign, at least until there is more clarity surrounding his condition. The 24-year-old logged 68 games for the Hornets last season, averaging 7.4 points, 1.1 steals, and 39.1% shooting from deep. While Green should remain efficient from behind the three-point line, there's a chance he could be removed from the starting lineup. Even if he stays with the first five, he may have a tough time staying involved offensively if LaMelo Ball (ankle) and Brandon Miller (wrist) can stay healthy.
Minnesota Timberwolves forward/centers Naz Reid and Julius Randle are both expected to be back in Minnesota next season, according to coach Chris Finch on Friday. Finch said, "Absolutely, yes," he expects both players on the roster next season, even though both have player options. Earlier reports this offseason indicate that Reid is likely to opt out of his deal, which is not a surprise since he could likely get a much bigger deal if he signs a new contract. It sounds like Finch expects him to re-sign with the Wolves, although it would be fascinating to see him in a bigger role with a new team from a fantasy perspective. If both return to Minnesota, Reid will likely serve as the team's sixth man again in 2025-26 and be the primary backup for both Randle and Rudy Gobert.
Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell stepped up in his 24 minutes off the bench in Game 6 and posted a great stat line. He finished with 12 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and four steals while helping to pick up some extra minutes while Tyrese Haliburton (calf) played through injury. McConnell has scored double-digit points off the bench in four of the six games in the series, averaging 11.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.3 steals per game. If Haliburton is still ailing in Game 7 on Sunday, McConnell will need to step up and carry more of the workload again. He makes a great DFS option in his expanded role and his multi-category upside makes him one of the key reserves that could help determine who walks away with the NBA Championship this Sunday night.
Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a disappointing performance in Game 6 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night, and now will have to win Game 7 at home to claim the NBA Championship. SGA had an uncharacteristic eight turnovers in the defeat after averaging only 2.4 turnovers per game during the regular season. He still led the team with 21 points and added four rebounds and two assists, but he and the Thunder never recovered from a rough second quarter in which they were outscored 36-17. The reigning MVP will look to secure the title for his team at home in Game 7, but he'll need a much better showing than he had on Thursday to get the job done.
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