San Antonio Spurs Are At the Center of the Next Great NBA Rivalry
By winning the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery, the Dallas Mavericks are all but guaranteed to select Cooper Flagg first overall, with the Spurs picking second, also rising up unexpectedly in the lottery.
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With the Mavericks adding Flagg, the Spurs boast their own generational talent. Victor Wembanyama has already emerged as an All-Star and is the best defender in the NBA, and the two will likely headline and define the post-LeBron James era of professional basketball.
On top of that, Wembanyama and Flagg will each lead their countries in international play, with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics being a proving ground for the two.
'Cooper Flagg,' said James while playing against him at Team USA scrimmages, '[Is] going to be a big-time player here for Team USA down the road.'
Wembanyama has also long been praised by some of the best players to ever suit up, with Hakeem Olajuwon saying Wemby "has everything."
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Both Flagg and Wembanayma are known for their competitive drive and defensive prowess, although both can take control on the offensive end. In the next few seasons, even in a loaded Western Conference, the Spurs and Mavericks are epetced to be two of the best and most exiting teams in the league, and their once-in-a-generation superstars will collide four times in the regular season each year and ohopedully in several playoff bouts, fighting over who is the face of the league.
The Spurs and Mavericks started their season against one another in both 2023 and 2024, and the NBA would be smart to pit them against each other on national television to start the season.
Check out the Inside the Spurs home page for more news, analysis, and must-read articles.
Related: San Antonio Spurs Rise Up in NBA Draft Lottery, Will Pick Anyone But Cooper Flagg
Related: How Dylan Harper Would Fit Next to Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs
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