LeBron James’ agent ends all trade rumors as Dallas Mavericks lock in on Cooper Flagg at No. 1

The Dallas Mavericks are back in the spotlight, and it’s not because of a Luka Doncic trade. Surprisingly, they scored the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, which could lead to a significant shift for the team. When trade rumors started swirling, Rich Paul quickly shut them down with a clear comment.In an incredible twist, the Dallas Mavericks snagged the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, even though they only had a 1.8% chance of winning it. This surprise win puts them in line to select Cooper Flagg, a standout forward from Duke University and a highly regarded prospect. With trade rumors buzzing, NBA agent Rich Paul, who represents big names like LeBron James and Anthony Davis, made it clear on The Pat McAfee Show that the Mavericks plan to keep the pick, "There isn't going to be a trade, I think the Mavs take him, and I think it's the right thing for the kid."Flagg had an amazing first season at Duke, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, which helped the Blue Devils reach the Final Four. His stellar play got him the 2024–25 AP Player of the Year award and consensus All-American recognition. At 6-foot-9, Flagg is praised for his versatility and basketball smarts, making him a great pick for any NBA team.The Mavericks' top draft pick comes after a rollercoaster season, marked by the contentious trade of Luka Doncic to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis and Max Christie. This trade was met with a lot of backlash from fans and analysts. Now, with the chance to draft Flagg, the team can look forward to a fresh start. General Manager Nico Harrison, who has been criticized for the Doncic trade, has the opportunity to reshape the team's future with this selection.There were rumors that the Mavericks could swap their pick for a big name like Giannis Antetokounmpo, but Rich Paul hinted that they want to focus on developing young players. He pointed out that being on a team with veterans like Davis and Kyrie Irving would help Flagg grow without the stress of having to lead right away.Put this on your calendar – NBA Draft in 2025 on June 25-26 at the Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York. The Mavericks are the team to look out for as they make their pick which may be the beginning of something new to the franchise under the leadership of Cooper Flagg.Also Read: Golden State Warriors trail 2-1 with Stephen Curry sidelined and Game 6 marked as possible comebackHaving sealed the top pick and with the trade rumours being put to bed by the Rich Paul, the Dallas Mavericks are geared up to land with Cooper Flagg, heralding a new approach for the franchise.