The NBA is one long rollercoaster of emotions.
When things started to feel normal, the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks partnered on Feb. 2 to complete an unforgettable trade involving two superstars (Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis).
On Monday night, the Mavericks, who had a slim chance of earning the No. 1 pick (1.8% odds), learned they could make the first selection in the 2025 NBA draft.
In another surprising NBA move, Lake Show Life’s Tyler Watts believes the Lakers could eventually pair Doncic with a Duke freshman phenom who’ll likely land with the Mavericks in June.
"The Los Angeles Lakers made a trade nobody could believe for Luka Doncic before the deadline,” Watts wrote Monday. “It gave them an in-his-prime superstar to build their roster around, but unknowingly helped the Mavericks land the number one overall pick.”
"Dallas struggled down the stretch due to injuries before winning Monday night’s draft lottery. Somewhere, Lakers fans are smiling, though. Nico Harrison did not even shop Luka. He decided he wanted Anthony Davis and only talked to his old friend Rob Pelinka in making the deal.”
Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
"The Lakers absolutely fleeced Dallas in the trade. They only parted with one first-round draft pick and did not have to include Austin Reaves. It was unbelievable and could be the key to eventually adding Cooper Flagg.”
"The Lakers have work to do this summer, but Harrison is willing to trade anyone. It could be Flagg someday, and Los Angeles will be ready.”
There’s a reason why Flagg is viewed as a surefire NBA prospect. The highly skilled 18-year-old forward checks off almost every box imaginable on the hardwood.
Whether making intelligent reads in ball screen situations, exploiting mismatches on the perimeter, or making timely cuts while playing off the ball, Flagg terrorizes opponents every time he steps on the hardwood.
Flagg isn’t a liability on the defensive end, either. The Newport, Maine native’s noteworthy lateral quickness and vertical leaping ability enable him to excel on both the perimeter and interior.
Flagg averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game during his lone season at Duke, shooting 48.1% from the field and 38.5% from downtown.
Flagg likely won't be a win-now asset from Day 1, but as Watts noted, his rapid development in the big leagues could quickly change his status.
Considering Los Angeles has already conducted business with the Mavericks, there’s no valid reason to rule out the possibility of the Lakers somehow prying away another star from Dallas in the foreseeable future.
There’s no question that Doncic and Flagg would be a dynamic duo during the post-LeBron James era.
More NBA: Lakers' Luka Doncic makes announcement on trade after playoff letdown