The future of the Dallas Mavericks franchise was altered on Monday night. Despite entering the 2025 NBA draft lottery with a 1.8% chance of winning the No. 1 overall pick, the team defied the odds and landed the top selection in the upcoming draft.

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.

Cooper Flagg made his way to Chicago on Monday night for the NBA Draft Lottery, and the Mavericks had a slim 1.8% chance of getting the pick. They somehow ended up winning the lottery, and now, Flagg will likely join former Blue Devil Dereck Lively II on the Mavericks.