Draymond Green Hints at NBA Draft Lottery 'Luck' After Cooper Flagg Lands With the Dallas Mavericks
Golden State Warriors veteran Draymond Green has delivered a candid and emphatic message to Cooper Flagg following the Duke standout’s selection as the No. 1 overall pick by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2025 NBA Draft. Green’s remarks, made both on national television and his podcast, have resonated widely, highlighting the unique and advantageous position Flagg finds himself in as he enters the league.
Draymond Green Claims "Cooper Flagg Is Lucky"
Draymond Green did not mince words when describing Cooper Flagg’s situation, repeatedly calling him “lucky” to land with the Mavericks. Unlike most top draft picks, who are often tasked with leading struggling franchises, Flagg joins a Dallas team that is already built to compete for championships. The Mavericks’ roster is stacked with established stars such as Kyrie Irving (once healthy), Anthony Davis, and Klay Thompson, along with young contributors like Naji Marshall, P.J. Washington, Dereck Lively II, and Daniel Gafford.
"I don't think he could have asked for anything better as the number one pick," Green said. "You ain't gotta go average 25 points on a bad team or 20 points on a bad team. You get to go compete and learn from some of the best, you know, so I think that's great. A lot of times, when you're the number one pick, you go to a s----- organization. This time, it's going to a great organization."
Green Dubbed Flagg As A Rare Opportunity for a No. 1 Pick
Draymond Green’s message underscores how rare it is for a No. 1 pick to step into a winning environment. Typically, top picks are thrust into rebuilding situations with little veteran support. In contrast, Flagg will have the chance to develop alongside Hall of Fame-caliber teammates and learn without the immediate burden of carrying a franchise.
Flagg himself acknowledged this during his introductory press conference, calling it a “blessing” to join such a well-constructed team. His family reportedly shared concerns about how he would handle being on a losing team, as Flagg has won at every level so far. Dallas’ competitive outlook alleviates those worries, giving Cooper Flagg a platform to contribute and grow in meaningful games.
Flagg's Fit and Expectations in Dallas
Flagg is expected to slot in as a small forward in a starting lineup featuring Davis and Lively up front, with Thompson on the wing and Irving handling the ball once healthy. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd has already signaled his intent to challenge Flagg, wanting to make him “uncomfortable” in his first season to accelerate his growth as a playmaker and distributor.
Cooper Flagg’s versatile skill set—he led Duke in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, and blocks as a freshman—makes him a natural fit for Dallas’ positionless, modern style of play. His ability to handle the ball, run pick-and-rolls, and defend multiple positions is expected to complement the Mavericks’ established stars and system.
Draymond Green's Broader Take: Draft Lottery Suspicions
Green’s comments also touched on the controversy surrounding the Mavericks’ improbable lottery win, which gave them just a 1.8% chance at the top pick. While he stopped short of making accusations, Green joked about the “luck” involved, fueling ongoing debates about the NBA draft lottery’s legitimacy.
"Although he suspend me often and fine me often, I still consider Adam Silver a friend," Green said. "So I'm not gonna do him like that. But it may be a little bit suspicious. Just a tad."
Also read: Malik Beasley and Model Girlfriend’s Turks & Caicos Getaway Preceded Gambling Allegations
Draymond Green’s message to Cooper Flagg is clear: embrace the rare opportunity to join a contender as a No. 1 pick, learn from elite veterans, and contribute to winning basketball from day one. Green’s praise—and his pointed observations about the luck involved—highlight just how unusual and potentially career-defining Flagg’s situation in Dallas could be.
Draymond Green Claims "Cooper Flagg Is Lucky"
Draymond Green did not mince words when describing Cooper Flagg’s situation, repeatedly calling him “lucky” to land with the Mavericks. Unlike most top draft picks, who are often tasked with leading struggling franchises, Flagg joins a Dallas team that is already built to compete for championships. The Mavericks’ roster is stacked with established stars such as Kyrie Irving (once healthy), Anthony Davis, and Klay Thompson, along with young contributors like Naji Marshall, P.J. Washington, Dereck Lively II, and Daniel Gafford.
"I don't think he could have asked for anything better as the number one pick," Green said. "You ain't gotta go average 25 points on a bad team or 20 points on a bad team. You get to go compete and learn from some of the best, you know, so I think that's great. A lot of times, when you're the number one pick, you go to a s----- organization. This time, it's going to a great organization."
Green Dubbed Flagg As A Rare Opportunity for a No. 1 Pick
Draymond Green’s message underscores how rare it is for a No. 1 pick to step into a winning environment. Typically, top picks are thrust into rebuilding situations with little veteran support. In contrast, Flagg will have the chance to develop alongside Hall of Fame-caliber teammates and learn without the immediate burden of carrying a franchise.
Flagg himself acknowledged this during his introductory press conference, calling it a “blessing” to join such a well-constructed team. His family reportedly shared concerns about how he would handle being on a losing team, as Flagg has won at every level so far. Dallas’ competitive outlook alleviates those worries, giving Cooper Flagg a platform to contribute and grow in meaningful games.
Flagg's Fit and Expectations in Dallas
Flagg is expected to slot in as a small forward in a starting lineup featuring Davis and Lively up front, with Thompson on the wing and Irving handling the ball once healthy. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd has already signaled his intent to challenge Flagg, wanting to make him “uncomfortable” in his first season to accelerate his growth as a playmaker and distributor.
Cooper Flagg’s versatile skill set—he led Duke in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, and blocks as a freshman—makes him a natural fit for Dallas’ positionless, modern style of play. His ability to handle the ball, run pick-and-rolls, and defend multiple positions is expected to complement the Mavericks’ established stars and system.
Draymond Green's Broader Take: Draft Lottery Suspicions
Green’s comments also touched on the controversy surrounding the Mavericks’ improbable lottery win, which gave them just a 1.8% chance at the top pick. While he stopped short of making accusations, Green joked about the “luck” involved, fueling ongoing debates about the NBA draft lottery’s legitimacy.
"Although he suspend me often and fine me often, I still consider Adam Silver a friend," Green said. "So I'm not gonna do him like that. But it may be a little bit suspicious. Just a tad."
Also read: Malik Beasley and Model Girlfriend’s Turks & Caicos Getaway Preceded Gambling Allegations
Draymond Green’s message to Cooper Flagg is clear: embrace the rare opportunity to join a contender as a No. 1 pick, learn from elite veterans, and contribute to winning basketball from day one. Green’s praise—and his pointed observations about the luck involved—highlight just how unusual and potentially career-defining Flagg’s situation in Dallas could be.
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