Patryk Stachowiak
It’s no longer a matter of “if” but “when.” After securing the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Dallas Mavericks appear all but certain to land high-school phenom Cooper Flagg. Multiple league insiders, including Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, reported that Flagg dined with key Mavericks figures GM Nico Harrison, head coach Jason Kidd, new CEO Rick Welts, and assistant GM Michael Finley cementing Dallas as his destination.
With Flagg expected to be unveiled as a Maverick within days, fans and analysts are already speculating on the franchise’s next major move. Enter the Boston Celtics. According to The Athletic, the Celtics are exploring trade options for veteran guard Jrue Holiday, with the Mavericks identified as a potential suitor.
“As I have dug into the trade market for Holiday, league sources have pointed to the Mavericks as one potential fit,” reported Jay King. Notably, Holiday’s elite defensive IQ could align seamlessly with a projected Mavericks core that includes Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and the defensive-minded Flagg.
“Good luck scoring against lineups with Anthony Davis, Flagg and Holiday,” King added. “Yes, I’m putting Flagg in that group already. He will walk into the NBA as a top-shelf defender.”
The Celtics, however, remain salary-conscious. For any deal to materialize, Dallas may have to include players like Daniel Gafford or P.J. Washington, potentially re-routing one to a third team to balance finances and roster needs.
From a tactical standpoint, pairing Holiday’s perimeter clampdown with Davis’ rim protection and Flagg’s defensive versatility could transform Dallas into a defensive powerhouse arguably their most balanced lineup since the 2011 title run. For Celtics fans, offloading Holiday could open cap space while reshuffling a roster fresh off a Finals appearance.
As of now, one certainty looms: Cooper Flagg is headed to Dallas. The only unknown is who else will join him in what could become the NBA’s next elite trio.