The Kevin OConnor Show: Could Cooper Flaggs Interest in the Celtics Spark a Draft Day Trade?

In the latest episode of "The Kevin O'Connor Show," Kevin and guest Tom Haberstroh discussed the intriguing possibility of Cooper Flagg, the consensus No. 1 overall pick and Maine native, potentially landing with the Boston Celtics. As O'Connor revealed, the Celtics used some of their interview slots at the NBA Draft Combine to meet with both Cooper Flagg and Tre Johnson (a projected top-five pick), even though they hold no pick anywhere near the top of this year's draft. Teams are limited to 13 interviews at the combine, O'Connor noted. "At the draft combine this week, Tre Johnson openly stated that the Celtics interviewed him," O'Connor said. "I have multiple sources telling me that the Celtics also interviewed Cooper Flagg. Now, this does not necessarily mean they're going to trade up into the top 10, but I do think it's an interesting development." The Dallas Mavericks hold the No. 1 pick this year, and O'Connor and Haberstroh discussed the hypothetical scenario: Would Boston put Jaylen Brown (a recent Finals MVP) on the table to move up for Flagg? What would Dallas say? And would Flagg himself (or his camp) try to "pull an Eli Manning" — refusing to play for the Mavs to land in Boston? "Boston calls [Dallas GM] Nico [Harrison] and they offer Jaylen Brown. And how many first-round picks is it going to take? … I just wonder if Dallas and their entire decision-making unit would listen," O'Connor said. Realistically, big trades for the No. 1 pick, especially when a generational prospect is available, are rare. But as both hosts noted, it only takes a few phone calls — and possibly a little leverage from the player's side — to kick-start something dramatic.