The Athletic NBA Daily: Mavs Get Cooper Flagg, Tatum Injured + Where Will Giannis Go?

Release Date: May 13, 2025

Introduction and Overview

In this episode of The Athletic NBA Daily, hosts Noah Chestnut, Christian Clark, and Anthony Slater delve into a whirlwind of NBA events, including the unexpected Dallas Mavericks landing Cooper Flag in the draft lottery, a significant injury to Boston Celtics star Jason Tatum, and the ongoing speculation surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo’s potential trade destination. The discussion also covers the intense Warriors vs. Timberwolves playoff series, providing listeners with a comprehensive recap of the most pressing stories in professional basketball.

1. Chaotic Draft Lottery and the Mavericks' Victory

The episode opens with Noah Chestnut expressing excitement over the draft lottery results, highlighting the Dallas Mavericks’ improbable victory.

Noah Chestnut [02:23]: "The Dallas Mavericks have had a roller coaster season. Christian Clark covers them for us. Christian, you have had a roller coaster season. First of all, congratulations on the baby. That's great news. And congratulations on the Dallas Mavericks winning the lottery in spite of only a 1.8% chance. How do you feel?"

Christian Clark responds with a mix of personal updates and professional insights:

Christian Clark [19:09]: "Everybody is going to be in their conspiracy theory bag right now because of what the last six Mavericks basketball has been, right? The Luka Dončić trade coming into it, the Anthony Davis injury that kind of opened the opportunity for the Mavericks to, quote, unquote, tank."

Discussion Points:

• Lottery Fairness: Christian and Noah discuss the implications of the flattened lottery odds, suggesting that traditional tanking strategies are becoming obsolete.

  Christian Clark [05:07]: "They bless in mysterious ways, man. There is no right or wrong in the universe."

• Potential Picks: The conversation shifts to the top draft prospects, notably Cooper Flag, Dylan Harper, Vijay Edgecomb, and Ace Bailey. The hosts speculate on whether teams like the Mavericks will draft Flag or consider trading their pick.

  Christian Clark [07:16]: "The presumptive number one and number two is Cooper Flag and Dylan Harper."

2. Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Speculation

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the ongoing rumors about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s interest in exploring trade options. The hosts analyze potential destinations and the impact on various franchises.

Noah Chestnut [04:26]: "Victor Wembanyama is there. They have Dear and Fox."

Key Insights:

• San Antonio Spurs as a Top Destination: The Spurs, having secured the second overall pick, are highlighted as a prime candidate to pair Giannis with their burgeoning talent pool, including Victor Wembanyama.

  Christian Clark [05:47]: "If you're Giannis Antetokounmpo heading into the second half of your career than Victor Wembanyama, I think it's a perfect pairing."

• Impact on Other Teams: The discussion touches on how teams like the Philadelphia 76ers and the Utah Jazz fit into the Giannis trade scenario, questioning the feasibility and strategic benefits.

  Christian Clark [22:56]: "If you are the Mavericks. Look, this would have been a different conversation if it was the Nets or the Jazz or the Wizards who are all losers in this lottery tonight."

3. Boston Celtics: Jason Tatum’s Injury and Playoff Implications

The episode takes a somber turn as Noah Chestnut reports on a significant injury to Boston Celtics' star Jason Tatum during the playoffs.

Noah Chestnut [10:03]: "Jason Tatum goes down with an injury that we have just seen too often, but none of us are willing to go out and say what it is until we get some confirmation."

Key Points:

• Injury Details: Tatum suffered a lower leg injury, likely sidelining him for the remainder of the series and possibly the playoffs.

  Christian Clark [10:57]: "He does it on both ends of the floor, which you know, is important to Nico Harrison."

• Celtics’ Performance Without Tatum: The hosts discuss the Celtics’ struggles without their star player, emphasizing the Knicks’ ability to capitalize on Boston’s weakened state.

  Noah Chestnut [12:11]: "Tatum was the only guy for Boston that was able to get going."

4. Knicks vs. Celtics: A Breakdown of the Crucial Game

The Celtics' loss to the Knicks is analyzed in detail, highlighting key performances and strategic shifts.

Christian Clark [13:37]: "A legit gym rat. Not just the joke."

Highlights:

• Knicks’ Key Players: Jalen Brunson’s impressive 39-point game and the balanced offensive contributions from players like Mikhail Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns are spotlighted.

  Noah Chestnut [14:18]: "They get a 31 lead, looking like no Tatum, Nick's Pacers."

• Celtics’ Offensive Output: The discussion underscores the Celtics’ dependency on Tatum, who was the main threat in the game.

  Christian Clark [14:26]: "Three-four had 105 of their 121 points tonight. Just absurd offensive output."

5. Warriors vs. Timberwolves: Series Analysis

The hosts transition to the Western Conference, focusing on the Warriors’ struggles against the Timberwolves in their playoff series.

Noah Chestnut [30:32]: "So looking at this team, okay, they were in the finals less than a year ago. This time last year, they trade a generational star. Surprisingly now they've gotten the number one pick in draft."

Key Insights:

• Warriors’ Offensive Challenges: The Warriors’ difficulty in scoring, exacerbated by Steph Curry’s hamstring injury, is a major topic.

  Dave [31:08]: "They can't score. You know, they first three games of the series under a hundred points."

• Timberwolves’ Resilience: Anthony Edwards’ standout performance and the Timberwolves’ ability to adapt without Curry are praised.

  Noah Chestnut [34:17]: "It shows flashes. So I definitely would be interested."

• Future of the Warriors: Discussions revolve around the Warriors’ potential moves during the offseason to solidify their roster and address Steph Curry’s age.

  Dave [35:00]: "It's gonna be tough conversations. Restrictive free agencies, obviously more team friendly."

6. Future Predictions and Finals Outlook

The episode concludes with speculative predictions about the remainder of the playoffs and potential Finals matchups.

Dave [39:03]: "Sure. Thunder, are we here?"

Highlights:

• Thunder as Favorites: Predictions lean towards the Oklahoma City Thunder advancing and potentially facing the Denver Nuggets in the Finals.

  Noah Chestnut [40:10]: "Yeah. I mean they checked all the boxes in the regular season, but they still got to get through Jokic."

• Warriors’ Future: The Warriors’ prospects are discussed in the context of their aging core and necessary adjustments.

  Dave [34:54]: "But I do think there'll be sign and trade type scenarios also explored."

Conclusion

This episode of The Athletic NBA Daily offers an in-depth analysis of the NBA’s current landscape, touching on the unpredictability of the draft lottery, the ramifications of key injuries, and the ever-evolving dynamics of player trades. With insightful commentary from hosts Noah Chestnut, Christian Clark, and Anthony Slater, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of the factors shaping the future of the league.

Notable Quotes:

• Christian Clark [05:07]: "They bless in mysterious ways, man. There is no right or wrong in the universe."

• Noah Chestnut [10:03]: "Jason Tatum goes down with an injury that we have just seen too often."

• Christian Clark [14:26]: "Three-four had 105 of their 121 points tonight. Just absurd offensive output."

• Noah Chestnut [30:32]: "They were in the finals less than a year ago. This time last year, they trade a generational star."

Key Takeaways:

• The Dallas Mavericks’ unexpected draft lottery win could significantly impact their roster strategy, especially with the addition of Cooper Flag.
• Jason Tatum’s injury poses a substantial challenge for the Boston Celtics’ postseason aspirations.
• Giannis Antetokounmpo’s potential trade remains a hot topic, with the San Antonio Spurs emerging as a likely destination.
• The Warriors’ playoff series loss to the Timberwolves underscores the importance of depth and health in championship contention.
• Future playoff matchups and Finals predictions suggest a dynamic and unpredictable end to the NBA season.

For a deeper dive into these topics and more, tune into The Athletic NBA Daily every weekday on Acast.