Cooper Flagg, the anticipated No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, is set to begin his career with the Dallas Mavericks, a situation hailed as a 'jackpot' by former NBA star Gilbert Arenas. Unlike many top draft picks burdened with expectations to revive struggling franchises, Flagg joins a Mavericks team that reached the NBA Finals in 2024 and boasts established stars like Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and Klay Thompson. Arenas points out that Flagg will have the luxury of developing without the pressure of being the franchise's face from day one.

This unique position allows Flagg to learn in what Arenas describes as a 'learning lab' filled with basketball intelligence. With the Mavericks fostering a balance of urgency for winning now while simultaneously fostering young talent, Flagg is poised to flourish. His skill set as a point-forward at 6'8” fits seamlessly into the Mavericks’ positionless style, possibly providing him opportunities to shine without the full glare of the spotlight. If he performs well, Arenas suggests he could be on a path to becoming an All-NBA player, benefiting from a rookie contract that could lead to a massive supermax deal later on.