The Dallas Mavericks entered the 2025 NBA Draft with a 1.8% chance to land the No. 1 pick. What followed was a franchise-altering outcome—and a defining night for general manager Nico Harrison.

After selecting Cooper Flagg with the top pick, Harrison spoke with reporters about the decision, Jason Kidd’s status, Kyrie Irving’s recovery, and the broader direction of the team. He called it “an exciting, exciting night” and described Flagg as a “once-in-a-lifetime chance” for the franchise.

“Being able to get Cooper — it’s a generational talent,” Harrison said. “We’re just super excited. Top to bottom.”

The Mavericks are not a typical No. 1 pick destination. With Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving under contract and playoff expectations still in place, Flagg is stepping into a team built to win now. Harrison said that structure will allow Flagg to grow without pressure.

“He’ll be able to develop on his own time, whatever that is,” Harrison said. “We have the support to allow him to do that. We’ll be able to win when he’s having good games and also win when he’s not having his best.”

Asked about Flagg’s primary position, Harrison deferred to head coach Jason Kidd.

“J-Kidd and I have this joke — when the season ends, he passes me the ball, and when it starts, I pass it back. So that would be a J-Kidd thing.”

But Harrison made it clear that Flagg isn’t defined by one role.

“He’s a basketball player. He can handle the ball, he can shoot, he can make plays for people. He’s a good passer. He’s going to be on the floor. The big thing is: who can he defend? And he’s a great defender.”

Flagg’s readiness — and the culture around him — were both important factors in Dallas’ decision. Harrison recalled that during Flagg’s visit, six Mavericks players took him to dinner. PJ Washington was at his workout and gave his immediate approval.

“There’s no jealousy. I think guys are excited to play with him,” Harrison said. “When I asked PJ, ‘Do you think you guys can play together?’ He said, ‘Oh yeah, we can play together.'”

From a basketball standpoint, Harrison described Flagg as a rare two-way talent who plays with maturity well beyond his age.

“He plays on both sides of the ball. He fits into any style. He guards multiple positions, plays multiple positions on offense, and makes plays in the flow,” he said. “Most young scorers are inefficient — he’s an efficient scorer. He makes winning plays.”

What impressed Harrison most was the consistency in how others talked about Flagg.

“His coach said, ‘When I can coach my best player hard, it makes it easier to coach everybody else.’ His teammates said he’s the best teammate they’ve ever had, most competitive person. The GM said he’s not entitled. Everything they talk about with him are the intangibles. Nobody really talked about basketball with him.”

Harrison put to rest any speculation about head coach Jason Kidd.

“Yes, he will be the coach next season,” he said. “I thought I shut that down.”

The franchise is moving forward with a two-track plan: continue to compete now while building around Flagg long-term. Harrison rejected the notion that Dallas is juggling separate timelines.

“First of all, he’s additive,” Harrison said. “Even though he’s supposed to be graduating from high school this year, he’s going to help the timeline of win-now. But he’s 18 years old, so he’s also going to help the timeline of winning in the future.”

“Eventually, it’s going to be Cooper’s team. We don’t know when that transition will happen. So it’s win now and then set yourself up to win in the future as well.”

Asked about team hierarchy and who the focal point might be, Harrison pointed to the strength of the locker room.

“When you really have a good culture, I don’t think it matters who’s the focal point,” he said. “If you’re just playing and everybody’s focused on winning, the ball’s going to find people and you’re going to play.”

With Kyrie Irving expected to miss the start of the season while recovering from a torn ACL, the Mavericks plan to address backcourt depth in free agency.

“You can’t replace Kyrie,” Harrison said. “But our goal will be to try to get a piece that helps us bridge the gap while he’s out.”

He clarified that Dallas isn’t necessarily looking for a traditional floor general.

“I’m not really worried about someone to run the offense,” he said. “I think we’ve got enough guys that can handle the ball and play multiple positions — just someone to get us organized.”

Asked how Dallas would pitch that role to potential free agents, Harrison was confident.

“A lot of players want to come play in Dallas,” he said. “Obviously there are limitations to us having our choice, but all things equal in terms of money and opportunity, I think we’ll have our choice of player that we want to get. I’m super confident in that.”

The Mavericks have already begun conversations with internal free agents.

“We had a great week. There’s a lot of stuff we can’t say, but we were able to start having initial conversations with a couple of our guys and we feel good about the outcome of that,” Harrison said. “We intend to sign them both when we’re allowed to.”

With a more versatile roster, Harrison said Dallas will play differently next season.

“I don’t know that we’ll be different than most NBA teams. I think we’ll be different than what we’ve been in the past,” he said. “You’ll see us playing a faster pace — sort of the way we played when we had like eight players. A lot of passes, a lot of movement, the ball finding the hot hand.”

Harrison reiterated that Flagg’s presence only enhances the team’s cultural identity.

“He’s a two-way player. He plays hard,” Harrison explained. “When people talk about him, they talk about intangibles. When you have a player that good and people talk about everything but basketball, that’s someone who’s going to add to your culture.”

Asked about Flagg’s rookie ceiling, Harrison avoided putting expectations on a timeline.

“I don’t know. I don’t really think about what his ceiling is for his rookie season,” he said. “Whatever his timeframe is, our team will allow him to have that timeframe. We won’t rush it, we won’t slow it. When he’s ready, he’s going to get everything he can handle and more.”

Harrison admitted he was stunned when the Mavericks landed the No. 1 pick.

“I was extremely surprised,” he said. “All my draft prep up to that point was us being in the 11th position.”

Asked for his reaction, he said: “Fortune favors the brave.”

That fortune may prove pivotal. Asked whether adding Flagg could help restore goodwill with fans and ease the backlash he’s faced personally, Harrison smiled.

“I’ve seen the fans react since we got the No. 1 pick. It feels like they’re feeling really good and optimistic about the future,” he said. “I’m hoping so. I’m assuming so — a little bit maybe.”

In closing, Harrison was asked whether one specific person had convinced him Flagg was the right choice. His answer reflected the unanimous nature of the feedback across the board.

“It was the collection, honestly, of everybody,” he said. “USA Basketball, his coach, the GM of the team, his past coaches, his teammates — everything they talk about with him are the intangibles that make up an excellent player. Nobody really talked about basketball with him. That was the most impressive thing.”

Dallas now moves into free agency with renewed energy, a foundational piece in place, and a franchise-shaping night in the books.