Kurt Helin, Raphielle Johnson and Noah Rubin wrote up their picks for the 2025 NBA Draft after the Mavericks won the draft lottery on Monday night.

It's a good question, and it also involves projecting when Kyrie Irving comes back from his ACL tear. So let's assume Flagg is a Maverick and Irving returns a few months into the 2025-26 season. Let's run through the projected lineup:

Monday was an eventful day in the NBA. Not only did Shams Charania of ESPN report that Giannis Antetokounmpo is open to leaving the Milwaukee Bucks for the first time in his career, but the Dallas Mavericks also won the 2025 draft lottery.

The Mavericks felt that Doncic didn't give them the best chance to win a title — despite the fact that they made the NBA Finals just a year ago — constantly repeating the phrase "defense wins championships" as the explanation for the deal.

The former NBA standout said the Dallas Mavericks should trade the rights to No. 1 draft pick Cooper Flagg in a potential deal for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Devin Booker or Tyrese Maxey. The Mavericks won the NBA Draft Lottery Monday night and thus the rights to the 6-foot-8 Flagg in the Draft on June 25.

Dec 15, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) dribbles against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images / Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Los Angeles Lakers governor Jeanie Buss is hoping to get the chance to speak with Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis this offseason.