Latest news with #NicoHarrison
Yahoo
14 hours ago
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- Yahoo
Cooper Flagg looks comfortable in new home as No. 1 pick gets introduced in Dallas
Dallas Mavericks Governor Patrick Dumont, left, and minority owner Mark Cuban, right, look on as Cooper Flagg, the team's No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft, responds to questions during an NBA basketball press conference at the team's practice facility, Friday, June 27, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) Dallas Mavericks President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Nico Harrison, left, responds to a question as the Mavericks' Cooper Flagg, right, the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft, looks on during an NBA basketball press conference at the team's practice facility, Friday, June 27, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft, at podium with head coach Jason Kidd, right, responds to questions during an NBA basketball press conference at the team's practice facility, Friday, June 27, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg, left, the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft, smiles at head coach Jason Kidd, right, as they respond to questions during an NBA basketball press conference at the team's practice facility, Friday, June 27, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft, speaks during an NBA basketball press conference at the team's practice facility, Friday, June 27, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft, speaks during an NBA basketball press conference at the team's practice facility, Friday, June 27, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) Dallas Mavericks Governor Patrick Dumont, left, and minority owner Mark Cuban, right, look on as Cooper Flagg, the team's No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft, responds to questions during an NBA basketball press conference at the team's practice facility, Friday, June 27, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) Dallas Mavericks President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Nico Harrison, left, responds to a question as the Mavericks' Cooper Flagg, right, the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft, looks on during an NBA basketball press conference at the team's practice facility, Friday, June 27, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft, at podium with head coach Jason Kidd, right, responds to questions during an NBA basketball press conference at the team's practice facility, Friday, June 27, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg, left, the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft, smiles at head coach Jason Kidd, right, as they respond to questions during an NBA basketball press conference at the team's practice facility, Friday, June 27, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft, speaks during an NBA basketball press conference at the team's practice facility, Friday, June 27, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) DALLAS (AP) — Cooper Flagg didn't wait for Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison to break the silence with an opening statement as the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft was introduced to a packed Dallas news conference. 'Hello,' Flagg said about the time the clock struck noon Friday. Advertisement The 18-year-old former Duke star only grew more comfortable from there, two days after walking across the stage in Brooklyn to be greeted by Commissioner Adam Silver. Flagg was deferential to the history of European stars Dirk Nowitzki and Luka Doncic — the latter being the generational talent traded in February, before the Mavs magically landed the potential of their next face of the franchise despite just a 1.8% chance to win the draft lottery. The Associated Press men's college player of the year quickly declared his love for Mexican food and barbecue — the same question all the Texas newcomers get — and easily rattled off Mount Rushmores for the NBA, and the WNBA. For those wondering, Flagg's NBA picks were Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, and he appropriately skipped the last names of the last two. The WNBA choices were Candace Parker, Brittney Griner, A'ja Wilson and, after a brief pause to think, Caitlin Clark, 'because she's changed the game so much.' Advertisement Of course, Flagg is about to join quite a collection of names in Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson, all three with NBA titles on their resumes. Although fellow Duke alum Irving won't join Flagg on the court until possibly January as the nine-time All-Star recovers from a torn ACL, the Mavs are expecting a return to the playoffs after falling short in 2025, a year after Irving and Doncic led Dallas to the NBA Finals, where the Mavs lost to Boston in five games. Throw in third-year player Dereck Lively II — another ex-Duke player, and one who visited Flagg going into his only season with the Blue Devils last fall — and there are plenty of reasons to believe Flagg gets a softer landing than many top picks who end up in rebuilding situations. 'He's very lucky to have veterans, future Hall of Famers,' said coach Jason Kidd, a Hall of Fame point guard who was the second overall choice by the Mavericks 31 years ago. 'When you talk about Kai and Klay and then AD, just understanding the vets are going to protect him and help him, and they're going to push him.' Advertisement Flagg flew to Dallas with Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont and both of their families. Among those at the team's practice facility near American Airlines Center was Mark Cuban, the high-profile former owner who sold a majority stake a year and a half ago to the Las Vegas-based Adelson and Dumont families and is now alternate governor. So was Mark Aguirre, the other No. 1 overall pick by Dallas in 1981. The 65-year-old was just a few seats from Shawn Marion, who played with Nowitzki on the franchise's only championship team in 2011. That row also included Rolando Blackman, a former player who represented the Mavs when they won the draft lottery. It was the first time in franchise history that Dallas had moved up in the lottery. Nearly the entire history of the 45-year-old franchise was represented when Flagg was asked about following Nowitzki, who has a statue outside the arena, and Doncic, whose departure was a heartbreaker for countless Mavs fans who no doubt got a boost with the arrival of the third one-and-done Duke player on the Dallas roster. Advertisement 'I'm coming in just trying to learn and trying to get better every single day,' Flagg said. 'And I think if I can do that to the best of my ability, I think expectations and pressures that other people will put on me and our team, that will kind of work itself out. So I'm just trying come in and be the best that I can be and just win at the highest level.' The 6-foot-9 Flagg's position is one of the more intriguing questions on the court, and the Mavs will have a void at point guard until Irving returns. 'I want to put him at the point guard,' said Kidd, who sat to Flagg's left on a stage, with Harrison on his right. 'I want to make him uncomfortable and see how he reacts.' There wasn't anything that made Flagg look uncomfortable on his first day in Dallas as a Mav. ___ AP NBA:
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mavericks' Nico Harrison officially puts Jason Kidd-Knicks rumors to bed
The post Mavericks' Nico Harrison officially puts Jason Kidd-Knicks rumors to bed appeared first on ClutchPoints. While there has been no doubt as to who the Dallas Mavericks would choose with the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft ever since they won the lottery, one question has remained: Who was going to coach Cooper Flagg this fall? Advertisement Now, granted, the Mavericks still have Jason Kidd under contract, but until the New York Knicks sign a new coach to take over for the departed Tom Thibodeau, the former point guard has been, and likely will continue to be, a hot name in NYC… until now. That's right, while discussing his team's first-round activities, Harrison was asked about Kidd's future in Dallas and made it crystal clear that yes, the Mavericks will maintain continuity at the head coach spot heading into the fall. 'Nico Harrison says Jason Kidd will be the head coach of the Mavericks this year,' ClutchPoints' Joey Mistretta wrote. Now, for fans of the Knicks, this is a pretty disappointing development, as Kidd has already coached Jalen Brunson, was a star in the area – albeit for the Nets – and is likely the biggest name who could take over a very flashy head coaching gig. Kidd recently coached in an NBA Championship game, against the Boston Celtics, no less, and while he didn't win, that experience could be just what the doctor ordered to return New York to the promised land for the first time this century. Advertisement And yet, for that very reason, it makes sense why the Mavericks would want to keep Kidd as they welcome Flagg to town. Even with Kyrie Irving expected to miss action after suffering a March ACL injury, Kidd has a track record of success, has relationships with most of the team's players, and is as good as any coach to ease Flagg's transition from the college ranks to NBA stardom. Related: Mavericks' Nico Harrison makes 'bold' claim on winning Cooper Flagg sweepstakes Related: Mavericks' Cooper Flagg asked about Jason Kidd rumors after going No. 1
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Generational' Flagg Fuels Hyperbole From Beleaguered Mavs GM Nico
'Generational' Flagg Fuels Hyperbole From Beleaguered Mavs GM Nico originally appeared on Athlon Sports. DALLAS - One can blame Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison for a lot of things. Well, OK. For one thing. Advertisement But now, as the Mavs have lucked out and executed their opportunity to draft Duke superstar Cooper Flagg as the No. 1 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, can you blame him for succumbing to a bit of hyperbole? On the heels of inexplicably trading away the face of his franchise, Luka Doncic, to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis and a bag of non-magic beans, Harrison has been blessed with a career-saving gift ... As his Mavs had a minute 1.8-percent chance to win the NBA Draft lottery, it happened. And now there is a likely new "face of the franchise'' to line up alongside established stars in the rehabbing Kyrie Irving, former Splash Brother Klay Thompson and Davis. Advertisement "What Nico Harrison, the general manager of the Dallas Mavericks, is building is arguably the best frontcourt in the NBA,'' claims ESPN insider Shams Charania, who mentions Dallas' two bigs in Dereck Lively and Daniel Gafford. "This is a deep front line that we're seeing right now." So yes, even many in the media acknowledge that Harrison had reason to be thrilled after the pick. But how thrilled? "It's a generational talent,'' Nico said of Flagg. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance.'' OK, so that might be a tad much. Flagg has all the tools, no doubt, as an athletic, 6-9, 205-pound forward who averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game for Duke as a freshman while also bringing a notably high level of defensively intensity and overall intellect. Advertisement But "generational''? And "once in a lifetime"? That may be a bit much. At the same time, Nico Harrison, when it comes to "a generational talent'' who offers "a once-in-a-lifetime chance," should know one when he sees one. After all, he just traded away that very thing. Related: Kyrie Irving Commits to Mavs With $119 Million Deal on Eve of "Flagg Day" Related: NBA Draft 'Was Rigged!' Conspiracy Frenzy As Cooper Flagg Joins Mavs This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
CBS News
a day ago
- Sport
- CBS News
Watch Live: No. 1 draft pick Cooper Flagg makes debut with Dallas Mavericks
No. 1 draft pick Cooper Flagg is making his Dallas debut. The 18-year-old will be joined by Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison and head coach Jason Kidd during an introductory press conference Friday at noon. According to the team, after the press conference, Flagg will participate in a Mavs Academy basketball clinic with kids from the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dallas. Flagg was a sensation in his only year playing college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils. Flagg was the consensus college player of the year, only the fourth freshman to win the Wooden Award, after averaging 19.2 points and 7.5 rebounds while leading Duke to the Final Four. The 6-foot-8 forward led the Blue Devils in all five major statistical categories, and has already proven his game can hold up against the pros when he played well last summer during an invite to the U.S. Olympic team's training camp. Flagg will join a Mavericks roster already loaded with talent, including forward Anthony Davis and guard Kyrie Irving, who has reportedly signed a new 3-year contract with Dallas. Flagg will wear No. 32 for the Mavericks. How to watch Cooper Flagg's introductory press conference What : Cooper Flagg makes Dallas Mavericks debut Cooper Flagg makes Dallas Mavericks debut Date: Friday, June 27, 2025 Friday, June 27, 2025 Time: 12 p.m. 12 p.m. Location: Dallas Mavericks Practice Facility – Dallas, Texas Dallas Mavericks Practice Facility – Dallas, Texas Online stream: Live on CBS News Texas in the player above, CBS Texas YouTube and on your mobile or streaming device. Note: Streaming plans are subject to change
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dallas Mavericks Make It Official and Draft Cooper Flagg First Overall
Dallas Mavericks Make It Official and Draft Cooper Flagg First Overall originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In 2025, the Dallas Mavericks have already been defined by three photographs. The first, of Luka Doncic holding back tears after returning to American Airlines Center as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers after being traded away in the dead of night, represents betrayal, failure, and mismanagement. Advertisement The second is of former player Rolando Blackman celebrating Dallas winning the NBA Draft Lottery despite having only a 1.8 percent chance of doing so. That image represents hope for a better future. The third, Cooper Flagg walking across the stage at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, putting on a Dallas Mavericks' hat and meeting Adam Silver, represents the beginning of a new era, even if it's one that fans didn't necessarily want. Trading Luka did not guarantee that Flagg would be a Maverick, but only by trading Luka did it become possible. Now, Nico Harrison did not expect to find himself in the lottery after adding Anthony Davis, so he can't claim that this was a calculated series of events, but nonetheless, it's official. From Dirk to Luka, and now to Cooper, the Mavericks have had a pretty unbroken chain of elite players, one after the other. On Wednesday, it became official, and even after the betrayal, fans have a reason to be cautiously optimistic. Advertisement Flagg has been touted as a generational player capable of leading a franchise for 20 years. He is only 18 years old, is a two-way force, and is easily the best player in the draft. Teams like the Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, Utah Jazz, and Brooklyn Nets threw away their seasons for a chance at landing him, and now he's on a team with very real title hopes. Welcome to Dallas, Cooper. We hope you enjoy the ride. Related: Duke Sends 1-Word Cooper Flagg Message to Dallas Hours Before NBA Draft Related: Cooper Flagg Didn't Hesitate When Naming His NBA Comparison This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
