Lakers superstar Luka Doncic is doting dad to daughter Gabriela after Mavericks win Cooper Flagg sweepstakes

Months after trading Luka Doncic to the LA Lakers, the Dallas Mavericks have been hit with some historic luck. Following their success in the draft lottery, the superstar guard seems to be paying them no mind.

Not far removed from trading a franchise cornerstone, the Mavericks have stumbled into another. Despite having minimal odds, Dallas managed to climb 10 spots and walk away with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft. They are now in a prime position to land former Duke star Cooper Flagg.

The morning after the shocking draft lottery results, Luka Doncic took to Instagram to make his first post since being eliminated from the playoffs. He doesn't seem to be paying any mind to what happened Monday night, and instead is enjoying some quality time with his daughter Gabriela.

Doncic's first season with the LA Lakers did not go as many envisioned. After finishing with the third seed in the Western Conference, the new-look team was viewed as a possible contender. That said, they ended up suffering a first-round exit at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Now in the offseason, Doncic can rest and regroup as he prepares for his first full campaign in LA.

Mavericks team executive reacts to landing Cooper Flagg following Luka Doncic trade

Aside from their longshot odds, the biggest storyline regarding the Mavericks winning the draft lottery has to do with Luka Doncic. Less than six months removed from trading a generational talent, the franchise has stumbled into a new potential cornerstone piece.

Nico Harrison has had to face backlash for months, but now the tables have turned. If Dallas selects Flagg in the coming weeks, they'll have a new touted prospect to build around for the foreseeable future. Also, given that he prides himself on producing on both ends, the Duke star fits Harrison's "defense wins championships" philosophy.

While speaking with insider Mike Vorkunow, one Mavs executive touched on the team's historic lottery luck. He feels the franchise essentially traded Luka Doncic for Flagg.

“He traded Luka for Cooper,” one team executive said. “Bonkers,” said another. No one could believe it.

One of the biggest knocks on the Mavericks' trading Doncic was that it drastically shortened the team's runway to contend. Upon winning the lottery, that is no longer the case. If Flagg is able to live up to expectations, he should keep Dallas on the map for at least the next decade.

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