A year after their last appearance in the NBA finals, there’s renewed optimism around the Dallas Mavericks’ potential to make a comeback. This optimism is fueled by their acquisition of a new star player, Cooper Flagg, who was chosen first overall in the NBA draft. This selection follows a dramatic and controversial trade that sent their former star, Luka Doncic, to the Los Angeles Lakers. “Our goal is immediate success as well as long-term achievement,” explained Mavericks GM Nico Harrison during a press briefing following the draft. “Ultimately, it’s going to be Cooper’s team, although the exact timeline for that transition is still open-ended. For now, we’re positioned to win in the present and set ourselves up for future triumphs.”
Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs are also feeling optimistic about their draft results. They picked Dylan Harper from Rutgers as the second overall pick, bringing in a dynamic point guard with significant potential. Additionally, five picks later, the New Orleans Pelicans went for sharpshooter Jeremiah Fears from Oklahoma, the seventh overall selection, providing the draft’s leading selections with a distinctly Southwest representation. The Southwest division as a whole has infused a fresh burst of talent.
Only the Houston Rockets made it to the playoffs last season from the Southwest teams, and they were unceremoniously eliminated by the Golden State Warriors in the first round. However, the Rockets made a significant move by acquiring 15-time All-Star and four-time Olympic gold medalist Kevin Durant just before the draft.
Looking into specific team strategies, the Dallas Mavericks focused on their need for a facilitating guard to bridge the gap while Kyrie Irving is recovering from a knee injury until around December or January. In Flagg, whose potential is considered generational, they may have found a player who could eventually mirror the skills of his new teammate Anthony Davis, boasting two-way capabilities and perimeter scoring proficiency.
Shifting focus to the Spurs, they’ve been absent from the playoffs for five consecutive seasons, necessitating an enhancement in scoring and playmaking, besides adding support to Victor Wembanyama, 2024’s Rookie of the Year. They drafted Harper and forward Carter Bryant, the latter being compared to Trey Murphy III due to his defense and offensive prospects. Bryant notably averaged a 37% success rate from beyond the arc.
On the New Orleans Pelicans’ side, following a challenging 21-61 season, they turned to Joe Dumars to oversee basketball operations and stacked their roster notably at the point guard, a pivot due to Dejounte Murray’s Achilles injury rehab. Their strategic selections included Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen, enhancing their roster’s depth and skillset.
The Memphis Grizzlies find themselves in the hunt for a replacement for Desmond Bane after a recent trade. The team’s goal is to identify a versatile player capable of 3-point shooting combined with defensive acumen. Their choices included Cedric Coward, a promising wing from Washington State, and defensive specialists Javon Small and Jahmai Mashack. The former provides Jalen Williams-like versatility, while Mashack brings traits reminiscent of Scottie Pippen.
Lastly, the Houston Rockets, despite entering the draft without retaining a pick, seem content as they are saturated with youthful talent, ending with the second-best record in the Western Conference the previous season. Their draft pick, Khaman Maluach, though designated to join the Phoenix Suns, aligns with qualities akin to Hassan Whiteside.