No city has been hotter on draft night than Dallas this season. They have been stacking pure talent from the W to the big league. After 44 long years, the Mavericks landed a chance to select the No. 1 overall NBA Draft pick. And it could not have come at a better time for them, with the top prospect being the 18-year-old Duke star Cooper Flagg. Whereas, not so long ago, the Wings picked Paige Bueckers within just 4 years of taking both the #1 and #2 overall picks.

It feels like just yesterday, Bueckers was getting her league welcome from the biggest names in Dallas. “Can’t wait to have you out here, support you, pull up to some games and watch you do your thing,” said Anthony Davis. Now, just a few months into her rookie season, with one concussion protocol, a game-winner against the Sun, and a sold-out crowd at home, Paige is the one doing the welcoming.

Bueckers welcomed Flagg by giving him very important counsel about ‘dealing with expectations.’ As a fellow No.1 draft pick, she knows all about the media pressure and fan expectations that come with it. “I’m not really huge into expectations, honestly, but they exist… I know Cooper (Flagg) thinks a lot the same. We have expectations for ourselves and the standards we set for ourselves. Run your own race, don’t run a race in comparison with the other draft picks, media’s expectations, or anybody else’s expectations.” That’s solid advice, right there! One that comes straight from the heart.

When Paige Bueckers showed up at the American Airlines Center, the energy at the Dallas Mavericks draft party somehow cranked up another level. She took on her duties to welcome the newest Mav in town as part of Dallas basketball royalty. To witness that happening live, hundreds of fans lined up outside the AAC. The party started at 6 p.m. and the doors opened at 5:30 p.m.

The Dallas Mavericks’ website, before the party promised, “The MavsTV Draft Show will be broadcasting LIVE from our Draft Party! Fans can look forward to exclusive interviews from Mavs legends Rolando Blackman, Nick Van Exel, and 1981 Mavs No. 1 pick Mark Aguirre, 2025 Dallas Wings No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers. Including LIVE look-ins from the New York red carpet with Dana Larson and Devin Harris.” And they delivered it with Paige leading the charge as the fans went all out for her on the internet.

Crowd Erupted as Paige Bueckers Took the Center Stage

Paige Bueckers showed up in an effortlessly cool courtside look. She was rocking a bold purple Nike tracksuit over a laid-back grey tee. She paired it with clean white sneakers. But her classic blonde stole the spotlight. People couldn’t resist commenting about it. One person said, “that blonde is CRISP.” Whereas others loved her hairstyle for different reasons, like “Silk press going crazyyyy😛🤏😍.” But don’t mistake Paige Bueckers for just a pretty face.

Even in her rookie season, she has already earned the kind of respect that makes the fans trust her to be the perfect guide. They choose her even over seasoned vets. It showed when one person wrote, “Please let Paige guide Cooper and keep Kyrie as far away from him as possible.” Maybe they are right to vouch for her to do so. Because, as a fellow Dallas #1 pick from the same generation, she would better understand the challenges that come with it than Kyrie, who was the first overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft.

And her presence certainly raised the heat in the arena. As the Gen Z crowd put it, “you cant spell Paige Bueckers without aura.” People couldn’t just couldn’t stop getting attracted to her presence right off the bat. It was evident with comments like “PAIGE BUECKERS IS IN THE BUILDING,” “It’s Paige 😍😍😍💯💯💯👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾,” “So dope.” But amidst all the star-struck fanfare, one comment stood out for its concern: “Damn let her rest.”

And honestly, it’s valid. The Wings have a huge matchup coming up. On June 28, against the Indiana Fever. It’s a game that is circled on everyone’s calendar. It’s THE showdown. The 2024 No. 1 pick, Caitlin Clark, versus the 2025 No. 1 pick, Paige Bueckers. This is as big as it gets: a duel for the ages.

And it’s also a massive week for Dallas, one that could shape the future of both their franchises. So, you know what to do. Stay tuned in with us to know all about it and more.