‘First call I’m making’ – Charles Barkley breaks down bold Giannis-Cooper Flagg trade
Charles Barkley has broken down how a potential trade involving Giannis Antetokounmpo and Cooper Flagg could unfold. On Monday night, the Dallas Mavericks stunningly landed the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, despite a 1.8 percent chance of winning the lottery heading into it. The Mavericks won the NBA Draft lottery despite having a 1.8% chanceGetty The team now has the chance to take ‘generational’ talent Flagg, who has long been tipped to go first overall. But with general manager Nico Harrison’s ‘win now’ mantra, the Mavs could look to use their No. 1 pick as leverage to land one of the league’s most established stars. For the first time in his career, Giannis is said to be open-minded – according to ESPN Senior NBA Insider Shams Charnia – about exploring whether his best long-term fit is remaining with the Milwaukee Bucks, or playing elsewhere. Teams have approached the Bucks frequently over the years about the availability of Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP, and many are expected to be watching his offseason plan closely. He will meet with the Bucks in the next month, and other franchises will be internally lining up trade scenarios if the 2021 NBA champion is made available. The Mavericks, thanks to their draft lottery win, are now in the Giannis conversation — and according to Barkley, they could offer the perfect opportunity to help the Bucks rebuild if they trade away their star. “If I’m Milwaukee, first call I would make is to Dallas,” Barkley began, speaking on Inside the NBA on Tuesday night. “If Cooper Flagg goes to Dallas, are they contenders next year? No. “That would be a great way to start the Milwaukee rebuild. You’ve got to understand something else about Milwaukee. “(Damian Lillard) is gonna be out all of next year too. This would be a good situation — Dame is going to be out, and we get Cooper Flagg, maybe a good young player or some draft picks. Flagg has long been expected to be the No. 1 pick of this year’s draft According to Barkley, the Bucks could send Giannis to the Mavs to land the No. 1 pickGetty “Now you can really start your rebuild. You get Cooper Flagg, some draft picks, you’re going to be in the lottery again.” While Barkley has put forward an interesting scenario, everything hinges on what Dallas wants to do with their top draft pick. Mavs GM Harrison is a proven risk taker, having sanctioned an unpopular trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers back in February. He has since said he didn’t realize just how beloved Doncic was to the city in a baffling admission, but stands by the decision. According to ESPN, Dallas plan to draft Flagg, and won’t trade the No. 1 pick. Patrick Dumont, who has just finished his first year as the team’s governor, considers the opportunity to be in position to draft a generational talent such as Flagg a ‘gift.’ Barkley believes Flagg could be the one to lead a Bucks rebuildGetty Despite his suggestion, Dallas will reportedly keep hold of the No. 1 pick NBA's Greatest Greatest NBA players in the world right now – from Luka Doncic to Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama Best players in NBA history to never win a championship – James Harden and Carmelo Anthony to Allen Iverson and Karl Malone 10 richest owners in the NBA – family empires, media moguls and investment gurus Michael Jordan’s top 10 scoring games – counting down MJ’s most extraordinary totals While he has given Harrison great leeway to run basketball operations, the governor has final decision on all personnel matters. The Bucks, meanwhile, will remain a major off-season storyline due to the fact they have lost in the first round of the NBA playoffs for three-straight seasons. Giannis has a decision to make, and all eyes will be on the perennial All-NBA superstar this summer.
Charles Barkley has broken down how a potential trade involving Giannis Antetokounmpo and Cooper Flagg could unfold.
On Monday night, the Dallas Mavericks stunningly landed the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, despite a 1.8 percent chance of winning the lottery heading into it.
The team now has the chance to take ‘generational’ talent Flagg, who has long been tipped to go first overall.
But with general manager Nico Harrison’s ‘win now’ mantra, the Mavs could look to use their No. 1 pick as leverage to land one of the league’s most established stars.
For the first time in his career, Giannis is said to be open-minded – according to ESPN Senior NBA Insider Shams Charnia – about exploring whether his best long-term fit is remaining with the Milwaukee Bucks, or playing elsewhere.
Teams have approached the Bucks frequently over the years about the availability of Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP, and many are expected to be watching his offseason plan closely.
He will meet with the Bucks in the next month, and other franchises will be internally lining up trade scenarios if the 2021 NBA champion is made available.
The Mavericks, thanks to their draft lottery win, are now in the Giannis conversation — and according to Barkley, they could offer the perfect opportunity to help the Bucks rebuild if they trade away their star.
“If I’m Milwaukee, first call I would make is to Dallas,” Barkley began, speaking on Inside the NBA on Tuesday night.
“If Cooper Flagg goes to Dallas, are they contenders next year? No.
“That would be a great way to start the Milwaukee rebuild. You’ve got to understand something else about Milwaukee.
“(Damian Lillard) is gonna be out all of next year too. This would be a good situation — Dame is going to be out, and we get Cooper Flagg, maybe a good young player or some draft picks.
“Now you can really start your rebuild. You get Cooper Flagg, some draft picks, you’re going to be in the lottery again.”
While Barkley has put forward an interesting scenario, everything hinges on what Dallas wants to do with their top draft pick.
Mavs GM Harrison is a proven risk taker, having sanctioned an unpopular trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers back in February.
He has since said he didn’t realize just how beloved Doncic was to the city in a baffling admission, but stands by the decision.
According to ESPN, Dallas plan to draft Flagg, and won’t trade the No. 1 pick.
Patrick Dumont, who has just finished his first year as the team’s governor, considers the opportunity to be in position to draft a generational talent such as Flagg a ‘gift.’
NBA's Greatest
Greatest NBA players in the world right now – from Luka Doncic to Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama
Best players in NBA history to never win a championship – James Harden and Carmelo Anthony to Allen Iverson and Karl Malone
10 richest owners in the NBA – family empires, media moguls and investment gurus
Michael Jordan’s top 10 scoring games – counting down MJ’s most extraordinary totals
While he has given Harrison great leeway to run basketball operations, the governor has final decision on all personnel matters.
The Bucks, meanwhile, will remain a major off-season storyline due to the fact they have lost in the first round of the NBA playoffs for three-straight seasons.
Giannis has a decision to make, and all eyes will be on the perennial All-NBA superstar this summer.
