Latest news with #SouthwestDivision
Miami Herald
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
NBA draft shifts Cooper Flagg's biggest ROY threats
Cooper Flagg is still the prohibitive favorite to win Rookie of the Year honors next season, but the players viewed as his biggest competition shifted after the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. Flagg opened as the -400 ROY favorite by BetMGM, although those odds were trimmed to -225 with the No. 1 overall pick going to a Dallas Mavericks team that doesn't necessarily need him to be a standout star as a rookie. Flagg has drawn the second most ROY bets at 13.0 percent and money at 13.6 percent, but he is not among the book's three biggest liabilities. The top honor there goes to Dylan Harper, who was selected second overall by the San Antonio Spurs. He leads all players in being backed by 21.7 percent of the tickets and 29.8 percent of the action. However, like Flagg, Harper steps into a situation where he has established star teammates in Victor Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox. That's the main reason behind Harper having only the fourth shortest ROY odds at +1100 at BetMGM. He is behind Flagg, Tre Johnson (+700) and Ace Bailey (+800). Johnson, a bucket-filler from Texas, will have an opportunity to be a primary scoring option with the Washington Wizards, who selected him sixth overall. Bailey, picked fifth overall, landed with a Utah team in desperate need of a young star who can contribute immediately. The Jazz also selected former Florida star Walter Clayton Jr. with the 18th overall pick. Despite not being viewed as a particularly strong ballhandler, Clayton was the book's second biggest liability for ROY honors as a +10000 longshot, prompting his odds to fall to +6600. No. 3 in terms of BetMGM's biggest liabilities was former Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears, who moved from +4000 to +3500 after being selected seventh overall by the New Orleans Pelicans. The same top four candidates lead the board at DraftKings, but in a different order. Following Flagg (-185) is Harper (+900), Bailey (+950) and Johnson (+1000). DraftKings is also offering a slew of Flagg-specific props, including separate Over/Under markets on averaging 16.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game during the regular season. DraftKings is also offering a parlay at +285 odds that Flagg will average at least 18 points and six rebounds per game. Frisky bettors can choose a three-way parlay at +6500 that adds the Mavericks winning the Southwest Division. Following the draft, Dallas was being offered at +1500 to win the division, +2500 to win the Western Conference and +4000 to win the 2025-26 NBA title. Field Level Media 2023 - All Rights Reserved
Newsweek
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Cooper Flagg Rookie Year Player Prop Odds, Best Bets: Specials, Points
Sportsbooks including FD and DK are already offering various ways to bet on Cooper Flagg's rookie season, including points and double-double prop markets. Sportsbooks including FD and DK are already offering various ways to bet on Cooper Flagg's rookie season, including points and double-double prop markets. Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Like Victor Wembanyama and fellow former Duke Blue Devil Zion Williamson, Cooper Flagg is already an NBA star, months before he scores his first bucket for the Mavericks. For bettors, that means that in addition to his 2026 NBA Rookie of the Year odds (which are as short as -225 at BetMGM -- implied probability: 69.2 percent), there are a number of other ways to bet on how he'll fare as a rookie. If you think he could become the first rookie to win NBA MVP honors since Wes Unseld in 1969, he's listed at +50000 (500-to-1) at DraftKings, bet365 and FanDuel. Few players get their own dedicated section/page at top sportsbooks like FanDuel and DraftKings less than 24 hours after hearing their name called at the draft, but Flagg fans already have no shortage of fun, unique ways to bet on his highly anticipated rookie campaign. Cooper Flagg Rookie Season Player Prop Bets DraftKings offers a few special parlays like Flagg to average 18+ PPG + Flagg to average 6+ RPG (+285) and Flagg to average 18+ PPG + DAL Mavericks to win the Southwest Division (+3500), it also offers over/under markets on Flagg's points and rebounds per game numbers as a rookie: Cooper Flagg points per game: Over 16.9 (-115); Under 16.9 (-115) Cooper Flagg rebounds per game: Over 6.1 (-115); Under 6.1 (-115) Player Prop Bet Specials For Cooper Flagg (FD, bet365, BetMGM) The best available odds for these props appear in bold: Cooper Flagg To Score 30+ Points in his First Game in the 2025-26 Regular Season (+2000 at FanDuel) Cooper Flagg To Record a Triple Double in Any Game in the 2025-26 Regular Season (-120 at FD; -120 at bet365; -115 at BetMGM ) ) Cooper Flagg To Score 40+ Points in Any Game in the 2025-26 Regular Season (+300 at FD; +300 at bet365; +350 at BetMGM ) ) Cooper Flagg To Score 50+ Points in Any Game in the 2025-26 Regular Season (+1600 at FD; +1600 at bet365; +2000 at BetMGM) For historical context, consider that the most recent rookie to record a triple-double was Josh Giddey back in 2022. In addition to Giddey's 17-point, 14-assist, 13-rebound night for the Thunder in '22, LaMelo Ball (Hornets, 2021), Luka Doncic (Mavericks, 2019), Markelle Fultz (76ers, 2018) and Lonzo Ball (Lakers, 2017) all recorded triple-doubles as rookies, though no one in the '22-23, '23-24 or '24-25 classes pulled off the feat. We not recommend betting on Flagg to score either 40 or 50 points as a rookie. It wouldn't be completely unprecendented for a rookie to break 40 points (LeBron James did it in '03-04, and Wemby also had a 40-point night in '23-24, to name two examples), but Wembanyama was the only NBA Rookie of the Year in the last decade to have a 40-point game. Another reason not to back Flagg to have a 40- or 50-point night next year is the fact that he scored 30 points more just twice in 37 games during his dominant '24-25 season at Duke. Best Cooper Flagg Player Prop Bet For 2025-26 The price here isn't exactly juicy, per se, but if there's one Flagg prop bet worth taking right now, it's Cooper Flagg To Record a Triple Double in Any Game in the 2025-26 Regular Season (-115 at BetMGM) -- 1 unit. As we mentioned earlier, while recording a triple-double as a rookie is certainly impressive, it's not a huge rarity. As an outstanding rebounder at 6-foot-8 (he averaged 7.5 rpg at Duke last year), Cooper Flagg double-doubles should be a more common occurrence at the NBA level after he finished his lone season at Duke with seven of them. His over/under scoring and rebounding numbers tell us he should average somewhere around 17 points and 6 rebounds per game as a rookie. Flagg averaged just over 4 assists per game at Duke. But as one of the initiators of the Dallas offense -- especially until Kyrie Irving recovers from his ACL injury last season -- I think he's plenty capable of a few nights with double-digit assists. I'm confident he'll able to combine solid scoring, rebounding and passing numbers together at least once as a rookie for an accomplishment that is not nearly as rare as it used to be. Case in point: In the 2024-25 NBA regular season, 25 players recorded at least one triple-double. That list includes 19 players who had at least two triple-doubles, 10 who had four or more, and four (Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron and Domantas Sabonis) who had at least 10 triple-doubles. Newsweek may earn an affiliate commission if you sign up through the links in this article. See the sportsbook operator's terms and conditions for important details. Sports betting operators have no influence over newsroom coverage.
Washington Post
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
NBA's Southwest Division got a whole lot better with top 2 picks in draft in Flagg, Harper
The NBA's Southwest Division got a lot younger — and a whole lot better — on Wednesday night. The Dallas Mavericks, just months removed from the shocking trade involving superstar Luka Doncic , selected Duke forward Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, a predetermined decision after the franchise won the draft lottery.
Associated Press
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
NBA's Southwest Division got a whole lot better with top 2 picks in draft in Flagg, Harper
The NBA's Southwest Division got a lot younger — and a whole lot better — on Wednesday night. The Dallas Mavericks, just months removed from the shocking trade involving superstar Luka Doncic, selected Duke forward Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, a predetermined decision after the franchise won the draft lottery. 'I think I keep saying I'm excited to be a sponge, to get down there and just learn, be surrounded by Hall of Fame-caliber guys and just to be able to learn from them,' Flagg said. 'It's going to be an incredible experience.' The San Antonio Spurs followed by taking Rutgers' Dylan Harper second overall, giving them an explosive point guard who has plenty of star potential. Five picks later, the New Orleans Pelicans selected sharpshooter Jeremiah Fears from Oklahoma at No. 7 overall, giving the top of this year's draft a very distinctive Southwest flavor. The division was in need of an injection of talent. Only the Houston Rockets made the playoffs last season, but they were knocked out as the No. 2 seed in the first round by Golden State. Houston made its big move before the draft, trading for 15-time All-Star and and four-time Olympic gold medalist Kevin Durant. The Rockets were mostly bystanders in the draft. They drafted Duke center Khaman Maluach with the No. 10 pick, but he was headed to the Suns as part of the Durant trade. That deal also sent Jalen Green, the second overall pick in the 2021 draft, to the Suns along with Dillon Brooks. Dallas Mavericks What was the team's need: The need didn't matter because there was no question who the Mavs were taking. Dallas needs a facilitating guard to fill the void until Kyrie Irving returns from his knee injury, probably in December or January. Who did the team draft: Flagg from Duke If Flagg lives up to his potential, the Mavs found a new generational young talent less than six months after sending the one they had to the Lakers. Flagg will be two-plus seasons into this NBA career when he turns 21. The pick's NBA comparison: Flagg actually has a chance to be a smaller version (assuming he's finished growing) of his new teammate, Anthony Davis. He has potential as a two-way player who is a scoring threat from the perimeter. San Antonio Spurs What the team's need: After failing to make the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season, San Antonio needed scoring, playmaking and a big man to assist 2024 Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama. Who did the team draft: Harper at No. 2 and forward Carter Bryant at No. 14. The picks' NBA comparisons: At 6-foot-6, Harper has been compared to former MVP James Harden, Detroit All-Star Cade Cunningham and his father, five-time NBA champion Ron Harper. Harper's size and strength allows him to get to the rim, absorb contact and score on a layup or via free throws. The 19-year-old Bryant has been compared to New Orleans forward Trey Murphy III because of defensive ability and offensive potential. Bryant shot 37% on 3-pointers and 46% from the field. New Orleans Pelicans What was the team's need: After going 21-61 and bringing in Joe Dumars as their new basketball operations chief, the Pelicans needed depth across the roster, but particularly at point guard because of Dejounte Murray's prolonged recovery from an Achilles injury in January. Who did the team draft: Point guard Jeremiah Fears from Oklahoma at No. 7 and Maryland forward-center Derik Queen at No. 13 (after acquiring that pick in a trade that sent Atlanta their 23rd overall selection this year and a 2026 first-round pick). The picks' NBA comparisons: As a 6-foot-3 slasher who not only can play the point but also excels at creating his own shot, Fears' game resembles that of Murray, as well as that of New York's Josh Hart — a former Pelicans fan favorite — as well as Detroit's Jaden Ivey and Sacramento's Markelle Fultz. The 6-foot-9 Queen isn't known for his outside shot or shot-blocking, but was productive inside presence with averages of 16.5 points and nine rebounds in his final college season. He draws comparisons to Houston's Alperen Şengün. Memphis Grizzlies What was the team's need: The Grizzlies must replace sharpshooter Desmond Bane, sent to Orlando in a June trade. Memphis has tried for some time to find the right 3-and-D player, who can provide shooting from distance with a strong defensive mindset. Memphis needs to recover from a collapse down the stretch. The Grizzlies went from second place in the Western Conference on Feb. 27 to the play-in tournament. Who did the team draft: The Grizzlies moved up to 11th in the draft in a trade with Portland, ending up with Cedric Coward, 6-6 wing from Washington State. He is a 3-point shooter and can be strong on defense, possibly fulfilling the Grizzlies' long-desired need. The pick's NBA comparison: Coward has some of the skillsets seen in Kawhi Leonard and Jalen Williams. Houston Rockets What was the team's need: As it stands now, the Rockets don't have a pick in this draft that they'll get to keep after also shipping their second-round pick to the Suns. But that's OK for a team stocked with young talent that finished with the second-best record in the Western Conference this season. Who did the team draft: Duke C Khaman Maluach at No. 10, but he will go to Phoenix as part of the Durant trade. The pick's' NBA comparison: Maluach reminds some of Hassan Whiteside. ___ AP NBA:
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'I wanna bury these ni**as' — Kevin Durant sends chilling message after Houston Rockets trade
(Image Source - Getty Images) Houston's offseason just got wild. Kevin Durant found out he was traded to the Rockets while on stage at Fanatics Fest—and later posted a chilling message on Instagram: 'I wanna bury these ni**as like 20 feet down…' This wasn't a goodbye—it was a warning. The Rockets, coming off a strong 52-win season with coach Ime Udoka and Fred VanVleet, just got even scarier. With Durant, things are about to get serious. Rockets land Kevin Durant in blockbuster trade and get a chilling rallying cry The big trade, wrapped up on June 22 and effective from July 6, has Durant heading to Houston in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the 2025 No. 10 draft pick, and five second-round picks. Notably, Durant discovered the news live at New York's Fanatics Fest before he confirmed it on his Instagram Story—the same platform where he quietly dropped a serious threat: 'Anyone else would retire, but I'm not content. I wanna bury these ni**as like 20 feet down. So no one can find them again," borrowing Drake's line from Smiley's 2021 single'. This line is taken from Drake's verse in Smiley's 2021 song Over the Top, and it clearly shows that Durant is aiming for dominance, not just hanging up his sneakers. He steps into a Rockets locker room that's still buzzing from its best season since 2020. With coach Ime Udoka—who just secured a sweet long-term deal—they powered through to a 52-30 record and snagged the Southwest Division title, but ended up losing in a nail-biting seven-game series against the Warriors. To get ready for Durant, Houston locked in Fred VanVleet with a fresh two-year, $50 million deal and also extended veteran center Steven Adams. This is a clear shift from rebuilding to a win-now approach, with championship goals taking the spotlight. Bringing in a Hall-of-Fame-worthy forward—who comes with two NBA titles, two Finals MVPs, four scoring championships, and 15 All-Star appearances—dramatically shifts Houston's competitive dynamics. On the court, twins Amen Thompson and center Alperen Şengün now have exceptional scoring help. Meanwhile, off the court, the front office is focused on ensuring long-term consistency and effective leadership. Also Read: NBA Draft 2025: Key dates, full order, top picks, and prospect buzz you shouldn't miss As Houston embarks on a fresh journey, all indications lead to one conclusion: Kevin Durant isn't just signing with the Rockets—he's altering the narrative. His Instagram post wasn't a retirement announcement; it was a rallying cry. For a team climbing out of the depths into genuine contention, the stakes are high. With a dynamic roster and a bold superstar, the Rockets' season won't just be seen—it'll be felt. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
