Only a yr after making the 2024 NBA Finals, the Dallas Mavericks franchise seems unrecognizable on account of a plethora of causes.
Be it the surprising Luka Doncic commerce or Kyrie Irving’s harm, the 2024-25 NBA season was a marketing campaign that the Dallas Mavericks fanbase will probably wish to erase from reminiscence.
Whereas that’s not doable, getting the No. 1 total decide within the 2025 NBA Draft actually helps in making the followers blissful.
Fortunately, the Mavs have a transparent alternative in Cooper Flagg to be chosen as the primary total decide. However did it imply that the franchise didn’t even invite different high prospects to pre-draft exercises? Exactly, sure.
Duke’s Flagg is a reduce from a unique fabric as he has reigned supreme even in our newest NBA mock draft forward of the true factor.
Most imagine that Rutgers’ Dylan Harper is undoubtedly the second-best prospect within the class. Normally, a participant of Harper’s caliber earns a draft exercise with the highest groups.
Nonetheless, in accordance with NBA insider Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson, the Mavericks didn’t even invite Harper in for a pre-draft exercise. Why? To make sure Flagg doesn’t really feel disrespected.
“Harper was by no means significantly thought of for Dallas. That’s not a knock on him. The Mavericks had been simply laser-focused on Flagg, they usually didn’t wish to ship the improper message by even entertaining one other participant on the high,” an NBA government informed Scoop B.
For what it’s price, if the Mavs one way or the other fumble drafting Flagg, it might be yet one more stain on the brand new possession. So, as they are saying, higher secure than sorry.
Finest to present undivided consideration to Flagg, who just lately had an outstanding pre-draft exercise because the Mavs look ahead to including the beast to the staff.
The Mavs didn’t need Harper? Truthful. One would assume that the son of ex-NBA veteran Ron Harper would conduct exercises with a number of groups forward of the draft.
Effectively, in accordance with Scoop B, that’s not the case as Harper has reportedly solely met with the San Antonio Spurs. For context, the Spurs have the No. 2 total decide within the draft.
“He didn’t have to do the complete tour. He’s assured in his inventory. He is aware of who’s watching. Typically much less is extra,” one other supply informed Robinson.
To be truthful, Harper appears assured in his expertise to be picked on the second spot. It’s actually higher than what Ace Bailey did with the Philadelphia 76ers.
If this report is to be believed, it additionally shuts down the rumors concerning the Spurs probably utilizing the second decide to commerce for Kevin Durant.
Actually, drafting Harper aligns a lot better with Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs’ timeline than going all-in for KD.
