Flagg has been the obvious No. 1 pick all season, but Harrison's decision to trade the 25-year-old Dončić for a 31-year-old Anthony Davis suggested that Dallas was all-in on the present. Had that been the case, Dallas could have offered Flagg for a number of veteran All-Stars, most notably Giannis Antetokounmpo should he become available.

The Dallas Mavericks, four months after trading superstar Luka Dončić, leapt up from a 1.8 percent chance to win the first overall pick and the right to select Cooper Flagg.