Holding the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Dallas Mavericks are widely expected to select Duke’s Cooper Flagg. The 18-year-old phenom has been regarded as the consensus No. 1 prospect and is likely headed to a Mavericks squad that recently traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis.
During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, 12-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul shared high praise for Flagg, stating that he had spent time training with the young star and that Flagg lives up to the hype.
“I’m in LA right now and Cooper Flagg is out here… I’ve been in the gym with him a few times and he’s as advertised,” Paul said on Thursday. “The Mavs landing the number one pick is wild.”
In his freshman season at Duke, Flagg posted averages of 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.4 blocks across 37 games, helping lead the Blue Devils to the Final Four, where they were eliminated by eventual champions, the Florida Gators.
Dallas moved up 10 spots in the draft lottery to secure the top selection—a stunning outcome given their 1.8% chance. It’s the first time in franchise history the Mavericks have won the lottery.
Could Chris Paul Join Flagg in Dallas?
Although Paul remains under contract with the San Antonio Spurs until the 2025 offseason officially begins on July 1, he’s set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. His comments about Flagg sparked speculation about a potential move to Dallas, especially as the Mavericks look to retool in the wake of Doncic’s departure.
With Kyrie Irving sidelined due to an ACL tear in March and no other traditional point guards under contract, Dallas may be seeking a veteran presence in the backcourt. Paul, who signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Spurs last season, would likely need to take a pay cut to fit within the Mavericks’ salary constraints. NBA insider Marc Stein has noted that Paul is a “name to watch” for Dallas, along with other seasoned guards.
Paul Reflects on Family and Career Future
On the show, Paul also opened up about the personal challenges of being away from his family during his career.
“It’s really about my family more than anything,” he shared. “My son just turned 16, my daughter is 12. I’ve been living apart from them for the past six years.”
Though still passionate about the game—“I was in the gym at 6 a.m. this morning”—Paul emphasized his desire to be more present as a father. “I want to hoop because I love it, but I also want to be Dad,” he said.
Since his departure from the Clippers, Paul has suited up for the Rockets, Thunder, Suns, Warriors, and most recently the Spurs. A return to Los Angeles with either the Lakers or Clippers remains a possibility, as does the intriguing prospect of mentoring Flagg in Dallas.
With 20 NBA seasons under his belt, Paul stands as one of the league’s most seasoned veterans. While he’s been candid about the emotional toll of his career, his plans for free agency remain unclear as July approaches.