Oklahoma City’s War Chest Could Tempt Dallas to Move the No. 1 Pick
The Dallas Mavericks are no strangers to headline-making moves, and this summer might bring their boldest one yet. With the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, many assumed Cooper Flagg would be an untouchable prize for a team looking to bounce back from a roller coaster season.
But a blockbuster trade pitch from the Oklahoma City Thunder could change everything.
The Case for the Cooper Flagg Trade
Per Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes, the Thunder are the one team that might have the firepower to tempt Dallas into giving up the top pick. Oklahoma City owns all of its future first-rounders plus six more from other teams. Combine that with a few promising young players like Nikola Topić, Cason Wallace, or Aaron Wiggins, and the Thunder could construct a package too good to ignore.
In exchange, they would land Cooper Flagg, a player many are already calling a generational talent. Imagine Flagg joining a 68-win Thunder team, his defensive versatility and scoring ability could be the missing link to an NBA title.
Would Dallas Really Do It?
At first glance, trading away a No. 1 pick like Cooper Flagg sounds outrageous. But with Luka Dončić already dealt and the roster reoriented around Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis, Dallas may see value in reloading depth and future flexibility.
This type of move fits the mold of GM Nico Harrison’s bold, calculated approach. A trade with the Thunder could give the Mavericks multiple contributors and draft assets, helping extend their window while still contending in the short term.
Would Dallas really send a top prospect to a division rival? Probably not without hesitation. But if there’s any front office unpredictable enough to consider it. And any team loaded enough to pull it off; it’s the Thunder.
Whether it’s reality or just rumor mill fuel, the idea of Cooper Flagg in Oklahoma City is enough to shake up the NBA landscape before the draft even begins.
Read More: Beyond Hype: Which Top NBA Draft Prospects Actually Fit the Teams in the Lottery?
