The Dallas Mavericks winning the first overall pick for the 2025 NBA Draft was stunning, and now they have the chance to draft generational talent Cooper Flagg. However, there are some people who believe Flagg won’t make them a contender, and they should trade the pick.
One of those people includes former NBA MVP and legend Charles Barkley, who believes they should trade the pick for a two-time MVP and NBA champion in his prime, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“If I’m Milwaukee, the first call I’m making is to Dallas,” Barkley stated. “If Cooper Flagg goes to Dallas, are they contenders next year? That would be a great way to start a Milwaukee rebound because you gotta understand something else about Milwaukee; Dame’s [Lillard] out all next year basically too…Dame’s going to be out, we get Cooper Flagg, maybe another good young player or some draft picks, and now you can really start your rebuild.
This idea from Barkley is pretty good. It fits in with Dallas’ win-now timeline, and Giannis could play center and allow Anthony Davis to stay at power forward, or Giannis could go back to being a small forward and the Mavs have the largest frontcourt in the NBA.
For the Bucks, they get a jumpstart on a rebuild, and give Cooper Flagg some reps to get used the league, and the year after Lillard will return and support him.
However, there is one small flaw in this plan. Dallas ownership has already stated they intend on drafting Flagg, and not giving up the pick. So, for this to happen, Milwaukee will need to sweet talk the Mavs’ front office and owners into giving up the pick.
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That could be easy, as it’s Giannis Antetokounmpo they are offering. He’s a top three player in the NBA, and could get them that championship they so desperately need.
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