Regardless Of The Rivalry: Dalla Marvericks forward Cooper Flagg Make A Shocking Move To Indiana pacers With A Record Deal Of $209.1M For 5 Years NBA Seasons
SHOCKWAVE TRADE: Mavericks Phenom Cooper Flagg Heads to Pacers on Massive \$209.1M Deal
*June 27, 2025 โ Indianapolis, IN*
In a development nobody saw coming, the **Dallas Mavericks’ rising star** **Cooper Flagg** has been spectacularly traded to the **Indiana Pacers**, signing a **record-setting five-year, \$209.1 million** contract โ marking one of the largest deals ever for a player under 21.
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### ๐ From Dallas to Indy: A Rivalry Rewritten
Flagg, the 19-year-old phenom drafted by the Mavericks last year, quickly became a face of the franchise, showcasing elite scoring, athleticism, and court vision. But despite burgeoning chemistry with Luka Donฤiฤ, tonightโs blockbuster deal flips the script.
Amidst whispers of internal discord and Dallasโ salary cap crunch, the Mavericks reportedly sought to capitalize on peak trade value โ and the Pacers pounced.
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### ๐ต A Record Slice of the Pie
The **\$209.1 million guaranteed over five years** represents an unprecedented commitment for a young player, surpassing previous landmarks for emerging superstars. Indianaโs front office framed it as a **strategic investment**, banking on Flaggโs star ceiling and marketability.
Pacers General Manager **Kevin Pritchard** explained:
> โCooper isnโt just a player โ heโs **a cornerstone** who aligns with our vision. We werenโt chasing headlines, we wanted transformation.โ
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### ๐งฉ What Indiana Wins
* **On-court threat**: Flagg brings electric scoring (career 18 PPG), elite athleticism, and positional versatilityโideal alongside Tyrese Haliburton.
* **Future star**: The young duo, Haliburton and Flagg, gives Indiana a dynamic and marketable backcourt-base pairing.
* **Brand impact**: Flaggโs Nashville roots and style appeal align with Pacersโ deeper branding pushes.
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### ๐ฃ What Dallas Sacrificed
On the flip side, the Mavericks gave up:
* Young assets and draft picks (reportedly two first-rounders)
* Their depth in the wing rotation
* A key part of their young-core identity
Sources hint that **Luka Donฤiฤ** was supportive of letting Flagg go โ out of loyalty and understanding of the best growth environment for the rookie.
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### ๐ง Bigger Picture: NBA Watershed
The trade marks an evolving NBA paradigm where **premature mega-deals** for unproven high-upside players happen earlier in careers. Indianaโs bold move could reshape how franchises build via youth โ and how rivals like Dallas manage their salary structure.
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### ๐ฎ What Comes Next
* **Indianaโs Title Push**: Can Flagg and Haliburton accelerate the Pacers into Finals contention?
* **Dallasโs Rebuild**: Will the Mavericks rebound quickly with their new flexibility?
* **League-Wide Reaction**: Expect fallout from cap-conscious teams debating mega-deals vs. draft stock.
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**In the end**: A storied rivalry got flipped overnight. The Mavericks lose a phenom โ and the Pacers may have just changed their traject
ory forever.
Buckle up โ the NBA landscape has been shaken.