ESPN Facing Backlash Over Unexpected Mavericks Decision After Cooper Flagg Pick… read more

ESPN Facing Backlash Over Unexpected Mavericks Decision After Cooper Flagg Pick

 

ESPN is facing intense criticism from NBA fans and analysts alike following its controversial response to the Dallas Mavericks’ decision to draft Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

While the selection of Flagg, a 6’9” forward from Duke and widely regarded as a generational talent, was celebrated by Mavericks supporters, ESPN’s coverage has stirred controversy on multiple fronts — from questionable draft grades to divisive commentary on race and team strategy.

The spark came immediately after the draft, when ESPN’s Kevin Pelton gave the Mavericks a surprising “B” grade for their selection. While most analysts applauded Dallas for landing the top prospect, Pelton claimed the organization didn’t “earn” the pick through smart moves or shrewd planning, but simply got lucky in the lottery. The grade quickly went viral, with Mavericks fans blasting the network for what they saw as an unfair assessment.

“Grading a team poorly for winning the lottery is absurd,” one fan posted on X (formerly Twitter). “They did what every team in the lottery dreams of — they landed a future star.”

The backlash intensified when ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith added racial context to the conversation during a First Take segment. “When you’ve got somebody with that kind of potential and they’re white and you are in America… Texas is different,” Smith said. The remark drew immediate criticism from viewers, who accused the network of injecting unnecessary racial commentary into what should have been a basketball-focused discussion.

Critics argued that Flagg’s race should have no bearing on his perceived marketability or value to an NBA franchise. “This isn’t 1985,” said one viewer. “The NBA is about talent, period.”

But the controversies didn’t stop there. ESPN’s Jay Williams added to the firestorm by suggesting the Mavericks should consider trading the No. 1 pick — even before Flagg had suited up. Williams argued that Dallas could have flipped the pick for an established superstar, possibly bringing in a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo or Devin Booker to immediately bolster their playoff hopes alongside veteran Kyrie Irving.

The reaction from fans was swift and unforgiving. “You don’t trade a generational talent before he’s even played a game,” one Mavericks supporter responded online. “This isn’t NBA 2K.”

Amid all the noise, the Mavericks front office has remained quiet, confident in its decision to build around Flagg. President of Basketball Operations Nico Harrison described the 18-year-old as a “franchise-changing talent,” and insiders say Dallas sees him as a long-term replacement for Luka Dončić, who departed earlier this year in a blockbuster trade.

While ESPN has yet to officially address the backlash, the episode has reignited conversations about bias in sports media — from how success is evaluated to the role of race in player coverage.

For now, Cooper Flagg’s NBA journey is just beginning. But his first night as a Maverick has already placed him — and ESPN — at the center of a national conversation.