With the 2026 NBA Draft just days away, it appears the Dallas Mavericks may have unintentionally spoiled their own selection.
A post briefly visible on the team’s official website prematurely welcomed Cooper Flagg as the No. 1 overall pick, prompting a flurry of speculation about whether Dallas has already made its final decision.
The now-deleted post featured a photo of Flagg in a Mavericks jersey with the caption: “With the 1st pick the Dallas Mavericks select Cooper Flagg. Welcome to Dallas.”
Dallas sports journalist Kevin Gray Jr. captured the blunder, which was later reported by Front Office Sports.
The image was swiftly taken down, but not before fans and media alike began dissecting what many interpreted as a clear signal of intent.
It wouldn’t be a shocking move. Flagg has long been projected as the top pick, and Dallas has shown little interest in evaluating other prospects.
Since winning the draft lottery, the Mavericks have focused their energy on the Duke forward, and ESPN’s Shams Charania recently reported that the team has scheduled an individual workout with Flagg on June 17. No other player has reportedly been invited for such a session.
Flagg seen as ideal fit for Dallas’ long-term ambitions
Cooper Flagg arrives on the draft stage with considerable fanfare. As a freshman at Duke, he averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, leading the Blue Devils to the Final Four.
Flagg also collected multiple honors along the way, including the Julius Erving Award, ACC Player of the Year, and the John R. Wooden Award.
Standing 6-foot-8, Flagg combines elite athleticism with a rare feel for the game on both ends of the floor.
His ability to defend multiple positions, create off the dribble, and thrive in transition has earned comparisons to some of the most versatile two-way players in the league.
According to The Athletic, Flagg is the “most ready to play” athlete in his draft class.
For Dallas, the addition of Flagg would be more than just a talent acquisition-it would represent a major pivot after the criticism surrounding their previous handling of franchise star Luka Doncic.
Pairing Flagg with Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving could provide the Mavericks with a dynamic and defensively robust frontcourt, especially with complementary bigs like Derek Lively II, Daniel Gafford, and P.J. Washington already in the lineup.
The public nature of the apparent leak suggests the Mavericks may not be overly concerned with hiding their intentions.
If anything, the accidental post may reflect an organization excited about a new chapter and confident in the player they believe can define their future.
Whether the move was a simple oversight or a calculated bit of misdirection, fans won’t have to wait long for confirmation.
The 2026 NBA Draft is set to take place in less than two weeks, and all eyes will be on Dallas to see if their website’s slip becomes a reality.
