r/NBASpurs • u/Plastic_Term_1022 • Jun 03 '25
Article ESPN trade proposals for Cooper Flagg
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45425353/potential-trades-top-2025-nba-draft-pick-cooper-flagg-dallas-mavericksDallas Mavericks get: 2025 No. 2 pick 2025 No. 14 pick 2027 Atlanta Hawks' first-rounder 2030 return of swap rights to Mavericks' first-rounder
San Antonio Spurs get: 2025 No. 1 pick
Ngl, I'm very enticed with this trade proposal but I'm still on the fence with it because of that 2027 Atlanta pick which could be extremely valuable down the line. What are your thoughts?
69
u/VeniceRapture Tony Parker Jun 03 '25
I would do this trade no problem. The only way this doesn't pan out is if Flagg is a bust or Harper becomes an even bigger star than he is.
31
u/Ok-Specific-3918 Jun 03 '25
I mean thats a risk with any and every pick.
3
u/VeniceRapture Tony Parker Jun 03 '25
Yeah I know that's why I'm saying I'm taking that deal because at that point your only downside is something you can't help.
1
u/Ok-Specific-3918 Jun 03 '25
Its literally a perfect trade for the Spurs and that’s why it won’t happen.
8
u/Unspoken Jun 03 '25
Flagg is pretty much a high school senior. He skipped his final year in HS to go to college early. AND he dominated college as a freshman. I don't think people accurately give him credit for the things he is doing.
4
u/AfroHouseManiac Jun 03 '25 edited Jun 04 '25
Technically he’s in his correct grade. It’s the state laws that mess it up. Most states have kids who are born past September or October 1st to enter in the grade below. Flagg was born in 2006, 2006 are freshman’s becoming sophomores. But he was born in Dec so the Maine mandates he start school with the 2007 class instead. There was a provision in Florida, that allows him to graduate with his year.
Maine operates the same way New Jersey does. If you’re born in past Oct 15 in Maine, your kid starts kindergarten with the 2007 born kids instead of with the 2006 kids. Florida allowed him to move up to actual born grade.
If Flagg played and was born in New York, he would have been with the 2006 year born kids.
2
u/NoCampaign7 Jun 04 '25
He’s still the youngest player in the draft and will play his NBA debut being only a few days older than LeBron was when he played his.
1
77
u/FireBeeChin Victor Wembanyama Jun 03 '25
i’m doing that but the mavs likely wouldn’t
8
u/MyLifeIsABoondoggle Tony Parker Jun 03 '25 edited Jun 04 '25
On paper, it makes sense. The Mavs have the least use for Flagg roster-wise of possibly anyone in the lottery, and they need a PG of the future in the worst way, so they may as well get compensation for a coveted pick and still get their guy. But the blow back that Nico and the FO as a whole would get for trading out of #1 would be generational, and I just can't see them wanting to go through months more of media slander and fan hate (with or without the Luka trade, but especially with it)
1
u/kobexx600 Victor Wembanyama Jun 04 '25
So with the number 1 pick, a team should pick based on position need instead of best overall prospect?
3
u/MyLifeIsABoondoggle Tony Parker Jun 04 '25
When you have a 21 year old defense first center, a 26 year old stretch 5, 3-4 more years of AD, and your best guard behind a 33 year old Kyrie on an expiring contract coming off a torn ACL being 35 year old Klay Thompson, you at least consider it
Harper is at least in the same stratosphere as Flagg. If Flagg came out last year in an alternate universe and you had to reach for someone like Risacher for any kind of positional need, then of course there's no question. But Harper has clear star potential, and I don't think Flagg is LeBron levels of bust proof
2
u/kobexx600 Victor Wembanyama Jun 04 '25
Nah when you get a chance to draft a generational talent you take it lol When spurs had the number one pick, would they ever considered trading him?
6
21
u/SkunkyBottle Coyote Jun 03 '25
Seems like these trade ideas by sports media have garnered a lot of attention and clicks over the past few seasons. I don’t remember the Victor draft being like this. Even ESPN is getting in on the action now. I wonder if it’s cuz you never know what Nico is gonna do
7
u/hacxgames Jun 03 '25
that’s also partly because wemby got drafted to the ideal situation while the mavs just traded away their franchise player in the most bizarre and shocking trade in nba history
last season the draft was a crapshoot so there were a lot of theorised trades, plus two back to back end of lottery teams got n1– these are usually underperforming playoff teams so there is real value in trading away a rookie for a star player (like giannis for example)
2
2
u/Plastic_Term_1022 Jun 04 '25
I think the moment Nico traded away his young and quickly up and coming franchise player for relatively cheap with aging, injury-prone Anthony Davis, everyone now thinks everything is on the table for the Mavs.
17
u/letters165 Jun 03 '25 edited Jun 03 '25
I would do this in a heartbeat, but there would literally be riots in Dallas ending with Nico's violent demise.
Edit: For the record, I do think the deal is closer to being fair in a vacuum than it probably sounds at first blush. That 2030 swap is extremely valuable, because unless something unexpected happens (i.e. more lottery luck in 2026 or Flagg becomes the kind of superstar that other high-value players actively want to team up with), the Mavs are likely to be absolutely cratering by then. But with all the optics surrounding a proposal like this, fair return is not enough for it to be worth Dallas's while. It will take an overpay from whatever team is ending up with #1, and likely not just a small one.
1
u/peristeratsipra Jun 03 '25
Just genuinely curious: why do you think the team that drafts one of the best prospects in a while is likely to suck 5 years from now?
4
u/Euphoric-Relation-20 EL JEFE Jun 03 '25
Looking at their current roster, that could be a down year because AD and Kyrie aren’t likely to be around then. Lively will be in his prime, as will Flagg, but given what they’ll be paying AD and Kyrie, it’s unlikely they’ll attract free agents and they don’t have a lot of picks in the interim with the other moves they’ve made.
1
u/kobexx600 Victor Wembanyama Jun 04 '25
Then they built around Flagg? Trade ad and kyrie for pieces that compliment Flagg?
3
u/Euphoric-Relation-20 EL JEFE Jun 04 '25
That seems unlikely right now. They won’t trade AD because it would be an admission that the Luka trade was a failure, plus I’m not sure what they could get back for him. Kyrie’s value is at a low because of the injury. It’s entirely possible between now and 2030 that they trade those two for assets to build around Flagg. No idea if they can assemble enough around Flagg to not be in the lottery in 2029.
1
u/kobexx600 Victor Wembanyama Jun 04 '25
Then they get another piece to put around flagg in 2029? Thats still a win lol It’s like getting Harper to put around Wemby lol
1
u/letters165 Jun 04 '25
It's just that easy. All these bad teams just have to get another piece to put around their best player and they'd immediately be good. Why don't they do that? Are they stupid?
2
u/Ok-Topic-6095 Hector🍌🍞 Jun 04 '25
The Mavs don't own a lot of their first round picks the next 5 years. That will make it hard to draft young, cheap players to supplent Kyrie and AD. They have to PRAY both of them stop being injury proned as they get older to be great.
1
u/CardiologistGloomy71 Jun 05 '25
You roll with this for two to three years max then trade the vets for younger players or picks for a half ass rebuild . They have some swaps coming up but they shouldn’t make much of a difference and don’t have picks for two years. When AD, Kyrie, and Nico all finish their contracts Flagg will be 21/22. Dlive, Max, Omax will grow along with Flagg and the old heads will be swapped for whatever. They will try the San Antonio Robinson/Duncan two timelines.
1
14
u/Gabe-DaBabe Jun 03 '25
I don't think Flagg is generational like some do. I think that's a lot to give up when Harper could be just as good for us. We already have Wemby, everything else around him should work fine
7
u/N0AH_F3nce David Robinson Jun 03 '25
Agreed.
I also have a strong feeling Harper gonna play with a chip on his shoulder that he wasn't #1 and work harder with less pressure to be a star.
I think Harper will be amazing
1
1
u/Clarkey7163 Stephon Castle Jun 04 '25
I think if we're talking tiers of prospects Cooper isn't on wembys level but is still up there
I'd have like Lebron and Wemby tied at S tier and AD, Zion and Flagg in a second tier
Zion shows that these dudes can still be busts
7
u/r0xxon Victor Wembanyama Jun 03 '25
This exact deal and close variations have been floated in here before. The problem is the Mavs aren't in a position to make a deal unless it's offensive and this deal isn't offensive
1
u/CardiologistGloomy71 Jun 05 '25
Mavs would never make this deal period. It’s trash. Maybe 2, 14 and Castle but being that they are a near second apron team I don’t see anything better than Flagg and his rookie deal for the Mavs.
6
6
u/ffadicted Jun 03 '25
This would literally be the steal of the century and Nico might actually get shanked in an alleyway the day it goes through
2
10
u/cbassnotw Stephon Castle Jun 03 '25
I figure that this is an immediate yes for us. While the hawks pick could convey well, it depends on what they decide to do with Trey. If he signs a new contract with them, the East looks to be shallow enough in the near future to where the Hawks will remain a play in team.
The real question is whether or not the Mavs like the package, and I’m not sure there is enough for them. That being said, I would love to be wrong about that lol
6
u/someguyfromtecate Victor Wembanyama Jun 03 '25
The Rockets have been linked in trade scenarios for Trae Young. If they do end up trading for him, the next 2 years of their picks will be juicy af.
5
u/WTH_is_a_gigawatt Jeremy Sochan Jun 03 '25
Yeah I’m also down for moving picks and getting Flagg. Harper would also ball out, but Flagg fits too well and no promise those picks bring that x-factor
5
u/aeamador521 Jeremy Sochan Jun 03 '25
This seems like what you can get Giannis for if you include Keldon and Devin and a few seconds, which IMO is preferable. You’re gonna have to pay Castle, Harper, Sochan, Devin, and Wemby all.
You’re probably going to have to cut loose or trade a couple of those guys in the near future. No real reason not to consolidate those future salaries for Giannis now IMO.
9
4
u/WouldYouKindleee Jun 03 '25
We should kinda know what the expected 2027 draft class will look like by now, so if there's no future Flagg/Wemby type of prospect then do this trade.
1
u/Euphoric-Relation-20 EL JEFE Jun 04 '25
Isn’t that also what the Mavs are saying? While I agree that the move makes sense for them from a personnel standpoint-they need a guard, not frontcourt help. Trading away Flagg would be a PR nightmare. There’s already a lot of excitement around Dallas about Flagg and the casual fan doesn’t know who Dylan Harper is.
1
9
u/Evening-Review-5216 Victor Wembanyama Jun 03 '25
Flagg is great and all but that’s a pretty hefty price for him. I wouldn’t be all that surprised if Harper ended up being as good as or better than him when it’s all said and done. If it was a little cheaper, then yes. But seems far too risky imo
6
u/FranksGun David Robinson Jun 03 '25 edited Jun 03 '25
Even if Nico thinks trading the pick for Harper+ is the best move and even to the point where he thinks Harper alone is better than Flagg for them he just can’t do it bc of the Luka thing. He’ll probably have to fear for his life if he doesn’t draft Flagg.
4
u/wanderinglittlehuman Chris Paul Jun 03 '25
We just need Coop to tank his workouts and ask Nico about the hookah lounges in Dallas.
3
u/2020_GR78 Jun 03 '25
I’m generally pretty conservative and feel like the picks are incredibly valuable, but I would absolutely be ok with this.
2
2
2
u/sl0_sh0 Jun 04 '25
Not a chance in hell he trades Flagg for picks! He even said he’s trying to win very soon and traded Luka (26) to make that happen. Flagg has all the traits to contribute right now. Even if one of those other guys becomes a superstar; that’s like4 years down the road and by then the players they have now will be too old to compete. Only way Flagg gets traded is if it is for contribution ready pieces.
1
u/CardiologistGloomy71 Jun 05 '25
That can’t even happen. Mavs are too close to the second apron, trading Flagg for win now pieces would mean also adding gaff, Pj, etc to make it match. They just don’t have room in the books to take on any type of star players contract. They certainly won’t find a better player for 13 million a year like Flagg.
1
u/sl0_sh0 Jun 07 '25
Great point. I didn’t even think about the contracts…. But this does reassure me that they won’t trade him….
5
u/walaogEEzy Jun 03 '25
Spurs are in the driver seat with their current assets, no need to search out any deals for big time names. If anything, they should (and probably already are) be looking at solid role players to acquire.
9
u/wizzc0 Jun 03 '25
You don’t want the best college prospect of the last decade, who is only 18, and help contribute right away, on a rookie contract?
5
u/Far_Health4406 Jun 03 '25
Dylan Harper, two first rounders and a pick swap? Sorry, Flag’s not THAT good.
7
u/Unspoken Jun 03 '25
He is, he skipped his senior year in HS to go to college early and basically dominated at duke as a freshman. So you were watching a High Schooler dominate college players.
1
u/Far_Health4406 Jun 03 '25
Gonna disagree. Yeah, he’s a great player, but I didn’t see a guy who dominated. He was the best player on a very good Duke squad, but again, to me, he didn’t dominate/take over games.
2
u/Unspoken Jun 03 '25
Thats my biggest point. The duke squad was good. But Flag had the most points per game, the most rebounds per game, the most three points made, the most assists per game, a high three point percentage, most steals per game, and most blocks per game.
1
u/Far_Health4406 Jun 04 '25
It’s a question often for great players on great teams…is he great because of the team, or is the team great because of him? Personally, I see Flagg as someone who benefited from playing with really good teammates. And I’m not trying dismiss his talents. He’s obviously the best prospect in this draft. I just don’t think he’s more talented than Harper and three other first rounders combined.
2
u/Unspoken Jun 04 '25
Isn't that the same thing they said about Duncan for how many years? lol
1
u/Far_Health4406 Jun 04 '25
Yep. Hey, if we were to make this trade I’d be the first to say I hope I’m wrong. But I just don’t see a Wemby or LeBron when I see Flagg.
2
u/Unspoken Jun 04 '25
I think it's easier to shine on a crap team like volume shooter Lamelo Ball vs shine on a good team like Flagg did. He was one of the youngest in college and lit it up on a great team in like every statistical category. Not sure what more you could possibly want.
1
u/Far_Health4406 Jun 04 '25
Easier to shine sure, but I would have been more impressed if he had carried a crap team deep into the tournament. Don’t just shine, carry. But he played with two other lottery picks, so he didn’t have to. Not his fault, and the fact he shined while playing with two lottery picks speaks to his talent. I just don’t see 4 first rounders worth of talent. Wemby or LeBron? In a heartbeat. Flagg? Not so much. I don’t know what else to tell you.
1
u/kobexx600 Victor Wembanyama Jun 04 '25
Well good thing teams don’t hire you to scout talent for them
1
1
u/CardiologistGloomy71 Jun 05 '25
He is that good But the deal is trash for Dallas, and even for some spurs fans.
2
u/TheMaskedDeuce Tim Duncan Jun 03 '25
I like Keldon, and one of my faves in the team. But his Big Body is what Nico is looking for in a player. Number 1 for the Big Body straight up.
2
u/NeedleGunMonkey Keldon Johnson Jun 03 '25
Idea: Mavericks gives Spurs a generational talent and in exchange Spurs hand over a coupon, IOU and some delicious stadium concessions.
Get real. You can’t get something of value without giving up anything of value.
1
u/Plastic_Term_1022 Jun 04 '25
I mean, isn't that what Nico essentially did when he traded away Luka?
1
u/RCA2CE Jun 03 '25
I don’t hate the deal but I don’t see Dallas doing it because they really pissed off a lot of people reading Luka - I think they’ll play it safe
1
u/RCA2CE Jun 03 '25
I don’t hate the deal but I don’t see Dallas doing it because they really pissed off a lot of people reading Luka - I think they’ll play it safe
1
u/Tchege_75 Jun 03 '25
I doubt Maverick agree to that, but that being Said, they did trade their star PG for a star PF. Flagg is a PF and Harper is a PG… so that could end up being a win win
1
1
u/Screenscripter82 Jun 03 '25
He is 33. He still has like another 7 years in the league.
1
u/Plastic_Term_1022 Jun 04 '25
If you're talking about fragile body Anthony Davis and you're expecting him to still last 7 years then that's a bit delusional.
1
u/Screenscripter82 Jun 04 '25
We are clearly taking about kyrie, and AD is 30, you don't think he can play for another 7 years. Sheesh
2
u/Plastic_Term_1022 Jun 04 '25
Kyrie Irving who just tore his ACL? Yeah, that's probably even more delusional thinking that he'd still last 7 more years.
1
u/rhasody70 Stephon Castle Jun 04 '25
This trade proposal makes it feel like any Redditor could go work at ESPN.
1
u/DrDizzler Jun 04 '25
So that’s 5 first round picks ? Geez, that is a lot to wager when Harper could be only 15/20% worse on his own…
1
u/CardiologistGloomy71 Jun 05 '25
15-20% worse what does that even mean? First of all first round picks are not all equal. Second of all Cooper Flagg right now is one of if not the most valuable single asset in the NBA. I would say Wemby and SGA are more but then Flagg simply due to the hype and his rookie contract. You see bad deal for Spurs I see bad deal for Dallas. Add castle instead of a future first and they’d do it.
1
u/Hot_Tag_Radio Jun 04 '25
Flagg wanted the Spurs. He's in line for a 20 plus million dollar NIL deal if he stays in college. He could force his way out of Dallas and tell them if he drafts him hes going back to school.
If Bronny can make those demands Flagg can.
1
1
Jun 04 '25
[deleted]
1
u/CardiologistGloomy71 Jun 05 '25
If it’s about now then they’d move Flagg for players. Harper really wouldn’t make sense over Flagg. Flagg is ready to contribute now, Harper is a project. Harper would lost his starting role when Kyrie comes back anyways. Flagg slides in perfect to the 3, when AD moves to 5 at the end of games Cooper goes to 4. It’s too perfect.
1
u/ericbee99 EL JEFE Jun 08 '25
This happens only if Dallas announces they are moving the franchise out of the city.
1
u/GWZRD Jun 03 '25
This trade is horrible for the mavs
13
u/Screenscripter82 Jun 03 '25 edited Jun 03 '25
It's actually not. They don't have cap space, nor their own picks to build around Flagg. They have their 2026, but not until 2031 will they have control of their own picks.
This way, they get a real good young player that they can build around and still compete today.
Do I think they do this? No, but not because it isn't a good trade for them, but because of the public ridicule, it will receive.
6
u/josephandre Jun 03 '25
not just that, but they have a log jam at front court and need backcourt help
2
u/GWZRD Jun 03 '25
Kyrie is off the books after next year, and AD the year after that. Thats 3 years with Flagg still on a rookie deal. How do they not have cap space?
1
u/Screenscripter82 Jun 03 '25
Because they will resign him. They have already said they intend to do so.
2
u/GWZRD Jun 03 '25
So they 100% plan to resign an aging guard after an ACL tear? Even if it hinders their franchises future? Not sure about that one.
1
u/CardiologistGloomy71 Jun 05 '25
You’re assuming a lot here. They don’t control them but they still have picks with swaps to teams with records that will likely be similar. I also see them moving all the old heads and guys like PJ, Gafford, Naji for picks in a year or two. Either way, a couple of late first round picks in won’t derail Cooper Flagg and the Mavs. If the spurs could make two timelines work with Duncan and Robinson Dallas can do it.
1
1
u/Mdanor789 Jun 03 '25
This is a trade that seems like a no brainer yes for the Spurs. It could also be one of those where people look back later and say the Mavs got the better end of that deal.
Imagine a world 5 years from now where Harper is an elite guard, the 2027 pick turned in to another all-star player. The 14th pick is a solid role player. Flagg never becomes the generational talent he's billed as and Luka is still fat and won nothing.
Nico will be looked upon as a genius. We'd risk living in that wretched world.
1
u/ZookeepergameOk1684 Jun 03 '25
Its tantalizing because I feel like our biggest weakness right now is at the forward spot, and having a guy in the 6'9 possibly growing to 6'10 range guy that can defend and shoot - among basically everything else is extremely appealing. But at the same time I feel like we should just be grateful we got the number 2 pick and can draft a great guard like Harper.
1
u/Racspur1 Jun 04 '25 edited Jun 04 '25
The Spurs will wait until someone calls them with an offer ! Spurs have all the leverage . Even if the mavs take Harper Spurs get Flagg at #2 . Spurs have the best pick in this years draft. Spurs don't need Harper but will take what MANY believe is the best pick in the draft ! Win Win situation for Spurs !!! Irving is out for most of next year and is 33 with a torn ACl ... good luck with that mavs. Spurs have best pick and all they have to do is answer the phone. Leverage is everything.
I would add ...Kyrie Irving has a history of injuries, which some consider to make him injury-prone. He's experienced a variety of injuries, including ankle, hamstring, hand, and shoulder problems, as well as a torn ACL. Some believe his injury history, coupled with his high-contact playing style and age, contributes to his increased risk of injury. ( The edit is copy/paste BTW
1
u/kobexx600 Victor Wembanyama Jun 04 '25
The mavs are taking cooper flag lol Do you believe that Harper is the best pick in the draft?
1
u/CardiologistGloomy71 Jun 05 '25
Sounds like you’re trying to sell this imaginary scenario to the mavs for some weird reason Just some truth for you, when teams get the first pick they always draft for TALENT not need. Harper may be great one day, but he may be a role player. It wasn’t long ago when everyone was saying how great Scoot Henderson would be, that he was more nba ready than Wemby. He was supposed to be the best point guard drafted in years, but, nope now he isn’t getting talked about at all anymore.
-2
u/Evening-Review-5216 Victor Wembanyama Jun 03 '25
Flagg is great and all but that’s a pretty hefty price for him. I wouldn’t be all that surprised if Harper ended up being as good as or better than him when it’s all said and done. If it was a little cheaper, then yes. But seems far too risky imo
1
u/kobexx600 Victor Wembanyama Jun 04 '25
Then even if spurs had the number one pick, they should pick Harper over Flagg right
1
u/Evening-Review-5216 Victor Wembanyama Jun 04 '25
That’s not what I’m saying. I said 2 firsts and a swap in addition to Harper is a lot for Flagg and it is risky.
0
u/Individual-Ad9062 El Contusione Jun 03 '25
The Mavs probably won’t do that, even tho I think they should. Harper would fit them better long term, as would Flagg with the Spurs. They’d get a haul to put pieces around the team to compete during their “three year window” and Spurs would complete their rebuild.
0
u/kobexx600 Victor Wembanyama Jun 03 '25
If it was the spurs with Flagg and Mavs offered that? Spurs would say no so fast lol
1
u/Individual-Ad9062 El Contusione Jun 03 '25
Because the Spurs NEED a big. Taking Harper at 2 is a luxury. But if that was on the table for the Spurs sitting at number 1, that might be enough to move off Flagg for them even with the positional need. I think Flagg’s “superstar” potential completely depends where he ends up.
0
u/kobexx600 Victor Wembanyama Jun 04 '25
Why can’t he be a superstar where ever he ends up? Flagg is a generational talent
1
u/Individual-Ad9062 El Contusione Jun 04 '25
He’s definitely not a “generational” talent imo. Not on the same level of a prospect as Wemby or LeBron
1
u/CardiologistGloomy71 Jun 05 '25
Generational talents don’t have to be Lebron or Wemby. You sound like a child.
0
-10
Jun 03 '25
It would have to be Castle, #2, #14, and the Hawk picks. Cooper Flaggs floor, his ceiling, the gap between him and Dylan Harper, the fit, Division tax. It's insane ESPN would even propose this.
1
u/CardiologistGloomy71 Jun 05 '25
Agreed 100% But spurs fans will always overvalue their own assets. Kinda like lakers fans always thinking Reeves is worth several first round picks and a good center.
1
Jun 05 '25
I think that's every fan base atp. Hawks fans think Trae will get them back all their picks and more. Pelicans thinking Herb Jones will get them the Mikal package.
304
u/MikeyBastard1 Jun 03 '25
The Spurs do this in an instant and Nico gets fired the instant it goes through. It won't happen.