Draymond Green Believes Cooper Flagg Got ‘Lucky’ Mavericks Landed No. 1 Pick and Explains Why It Changes Everything for Rookie
In a league where narratives shape careers and talent alone rarely guarantees success, Draymond Green’s latest remarks about Cooper Flagg have sparked intrigue, criticism, and debate. During a recent episode of The Draymond Green Show, the four-time NBA champion and Golden State Warriors forward commented on the Mavericks selecting Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. In Green’s typically candid fashion, he declared that Flagg was “lucky” the Dallas Mavericks had the top selection. The comment immediately circulated across social media, prompting fans to either agree with Green’s brutally honest assessment or to label his words as dismissive of the Duke phenom’s skill set.
But what did Green really mean? Was it a subtle dig at Flagg’s game? Or was it actually a compliment hidden behind Green’s no-nonsense delivery? The reality is far more layered—and revealing—about how success in the NBA is often dictated by situation, not just skill.
To understand Green’s perspective, you first need to understand who Cooper Flagg is and what he represents. Flagg, a 6-foot-9 forward from Duke University, had been considered the best prospect in the 2025 draft class for over two years. His mix of length, explosiveness, high basketball IQ, and defensive versatility made scouts across the NBA drool. In college, he played both ends of the floor like a veteran, dominated in transition, and displayed the kind of intensity and polish rarely seen in a teenager. He was a can’t-miss prospect—but in the eyes of Green, his situation turned out even better than most expected.
“Cooper Flagg’s good. That’s obvious,” Green said on his show. “But don’t get it twisted—he lucked out. Getting picked by the Mavericks? With Luka [Dončić] and Kyrie [Irving] there? That’s a blessing, man. That ain’t normal for a No. 1 pick.”
This is where Green’s perspective becomes illuminating. Most No. 1 picks enter the NBA in disastrous situations. Franchises that secure the top spot in the draft usually do so after years of losing, dysfunction, or total rebuilding. For example, Paolo Banchero entered a struggling Orlando team. Cade Cunningham joined a directionless Pistons franchise. Anthony Edwards was drafted by the Timberwolves, still trying to find their identity post-Jimmy Butler. These teams typically lack veteran leadership, structure, or a superstar capable of lightening the burden placed on a teenage phenom.
In contrast, Cooper Flagg is stepping into a team that just reached the NBA Finals. Yes, the Dallas Mavericks were an unlikely lottery team due to a pick-swap situation and protected assets, but they maintained their trajectory as a winning franchise. And more importantly, they’re built around one of the top three players in the world—Luka Dončić—and another championship-proven veteran in Kyrie Irving. That alone places Flagg in a rare tier of No. 1 picks who can develop without immediately becoming the face of the franchise.
“That dude don’t have to save nothing,” Green said. “He’s not walking into a disaster. He’s walking into stability. Real vets. Real coaching. Real expectations. That’s not pressure—it’s privilege. And that’s where the luck comes in.”
Green, who himself entered a well-structured organization in Golden State as a second-round pick in 2012, knows first-hand the impact of being placed in the right system. He was surrounded by Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and an eventual Hall-of-Fame coach in Steve Kerr. It allowed Green to grow, fail, and succeed without having to shoulder a franchise from day one. He sees the same kind of advantage for Flagg.
But beyond the Mavericks’ structure, Green also pointed to the synergy of skill sets. Dončić is a ball-dominant playmaker who draws double teams every possession. Irving can score at will. What does that leave Flagg? Space, opportunity, and time—three things rookies rarely get in rebuilding situations.
“You put Cooper Flagg on a bottom-tier team, and now he’s got to figure it all out while getting the other team’s best defender every night,” Green explained. “You put him next to Luka, and now he’s getting wide-open looks, open lanes, and 1-on-1 matchups. That’s what I mean by lucky.”
Green’s words may sound harsh, but they’re rooted in logic that NBA veterans—and scouts—understand deeply. Rookies often flounder because they’re overwhelmed by the responsibility of turning around bad teams. The result? Slow development, broken confidence, and unmet expectations. Flagg, however, is in a position where he can learn and contribute without being the savior. He can take defensive assignments, grab transition buckets, crash the glass, and occasionally initiate offense without being asked to carry the burden.
From a basketball development perspective, this is ideal. The Mavericks have one of the best coaching staffs in the league under Jason Kidd, and their system has shown flexibility in using versatile wings. With Flagg’s length and defensive ability, he can immediately make an impact as a role player on a championship contender. And that, Green noted, is the ultimate “luck” factor.
“It’s not about talent—he’s got that,” Green clarified. “But talent needs the right soil to grow in. And he landed in a garden. That don’t happen for most dudes.”
It’s hard to disagree with Green when you look at the track record of previous No. 1 picks who entered struggling franchises. Consider Ben Simmons, who had to carry expectations in Philadelphia before the team’s culture stabilized. Or Markelle Fultz, whose development was hampered by injuries, pressure, and a toxic environment in Philly. Even Zion Williamson—considered one of the most hyped prospects in decades—has been mired in instability and off-court distractions in New Orleans.
Cooper Flagg won’t face that. He doesn’t have to average 25 points a night or single-handedly keep his team competitive. He can operate within the flow of a functioning system, grow incrementally, and slowly expand his role as he gains confidence and experience. That’s a luxury almost no top pick has had in the modern draft era.
But Green’s comments also reflect a deeper commentary about today’s NBA: talent is abundant, but landing in the right spot determines the arc of a player’s legacy. There are hundreds of players with talent who never became stars. There are also players like Kawhi Leonard, who entered a championship environment in San Antonio and evolved slowly into one of the most dominant players in the league. Flagg’s trajectory might resemble the latter, and that’s what excites veteran voices like Green.
“If you’re serious about the league, you want to go where people are serious,” Green said. “Dallas is serious. Luka is serious. Kyrie might be wild, but he’s serious when it matters. That’s where you grow up fast and get better.”
There’s also a subtle nod in Green’s comments about how the Mavericks operate as a franchise. Unlike some organizations that frequently change coaches, shuffle rosters, and lack identity, Dallas has maintained consistency under Mark Cuban (until his recent step back from daily operations), GM Nico Harrison, and head coach Jason Kidd. That consistency trickles down to how players are developed. Flagg can rely on a framework of stability—another rare gift for a player so young.
The “luck” Draymond refers to is not about whether Flagg is undeserving of the No. 1 pick or if he lacks the ability to shine elsewhere. It’s about timing, fit, and the good fortune of circumstances aligning in a way that gives a young player the optimal path forward. And in an NBA filled with cautionary tales of wasted potential and derailed careers, that kind of luck is priceless.
Ultimately, Green’s comments were not a slight—they were an acknowledgment of how the game actually works behind the glitz and highlight reels. Cooper Flagg may have the talent to one day lead a franchise, but thanks to the Mavericks’ pick, he won’t have to do it at 19. Instead, he’ll have the chance to learn, adapt, and contribute meaningfully to a playoff-caliber roster from the very start.
In Draymond Green’s world—one forged by grit, mentorship, and system success—that’s not just luck. That’s a golden opportunity.
