The Dallas Mavericks have a unique opportunity to acquire mega-talent Cooper Flagg in the draft. However, some experts suggest trading Flagg immediately after. The Mavs must make another difficult decision.
The ecstasy among the Mavs was accordingly great when the sensation was certain. Those responsible from Dallas jumped up, chairs flew around, and the tables in the room wobbled.
Cooper Flagg is considered a likely first pick in the NBA draft.
General Manager Nico Harrison, who faced extreme criticism after the shocking trade of Luka Doncic, was also in the middle of it. Now he could cheer. From Zero to Hero.
After a disappointing season with numerous injuries, disgruntled fans, and missing the play-ins, the Mavs suddenly have all the cards for a bright future again, should they actually select Flagg.
Flagg Dominated Against Lebron, Curry, and Co.
How good Flagg is was already evident in a scrimmage last summer when he dominated against the best NBA players. Specifically, it was a game between the USA national team and the USA Select Team, a team usually composed of selected NBA players to serve as a tough test for the national team shortly before the Olympic Games.
Flagg was part of this team last summer, and the 17-year-old faced the team around superstars like LeBron James and Steph Curry. There was no significant difference in quality – quite the opposite. As ESPN outlined, Flagg outshone the stars and even outperformed them at times. He then delivered a real show in the decisive phase of the close scrimmage.
First, he hit a three-pointer from the corner over the approaching star defender Anthony Davis, who then hung his head. He could be playing alongside Davis in Dallas starting this summer. Later, he made Jrue Holiday, the next elite defender, look old and hit a tough shot from the turn over the Boston Celtics player.
But that’s not all: Flagg really turned it up again in the final phase. First, after a nice crossover, he sank another three-pointer over Davis before anticipating his teammate’s missed shot in the following attack, sprinting to the basket, and converting the putback for a 69-68 lead despite Bam Adebayo’s foul. He also hit the subsequent free throw, scoring six points in just 20 seconds.
Team USA turned the game around in the final phase, but the enthusiasm among the NBA stars was still great afterward. LeBron James gave him an appreciative pat on the butt. Kevin Durant even praised him publicly: “He is an incredible player. He is only 17 years old, comes here easily, and plays almost like a veteran. He doesn’t show much emotion. He just goes out and does his job. That’s a very good sign.”
“There is no better fit for Cooper Flagg Than the Dallas Mavericks”
He also impressed in the subsequent college season, leading his team Duke with 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament.
In addition to his raw numbers, he stood out for his incredible versatility on offense and defense.
“He has an incredible skill set. His game is really out of this world,” praised Seth Greenberg, the college basketball analyst from ESPN: “He is an absolute perfect fit for the team. If you look at the Mavs’ roster, you can see that they have Irving, Thompson, Davis, and Lively. They only need a small forward, and that’s where Flagg fits in perfectly.”
“Especially because he plays with so many top players, he won’t have the pressure that many first-overall picks usually have. He just has to be himself. He can take over the game at any time. For me, there is no better fit for Cooper Flagg than the Dallas Mavericks,” Greenberg is sure.
They seem to see it that way in Dallas as well. According to information from ESPN, Flagg “is very likely to become a player for the Dallas Mavericks.”
Surprising suggestion! Could the Mavs Trade Flagg?
But currently, there is a personnel issue on the NBA transfer market that could change the situation: Giannis Antetokounmpo.
According to information from the always well-informed NBA insider Shams Charania, the Greek is quite open to leaving Milwaukee, which is why many talking heads in the USA are bringing up a trade by the Mavs for Antetokounmpo.
According to the opinion leaders who often appear prominently in the USA, Dallas could switch to “win-now mode” with Giannis rather than with rookie Flagg. In return, the prospect of a mega-talent like Flagg could actually encourage the Bucks to give up their mega-star.
“No matter how good Cooper Flagg is. He has to prove himself first and even get past the veterans in his position,” said, for example, NBA legend Udonis Haslem on ESPN.
Jay Williams even went a step further in the same show: “He will often need the ball to develop. I don’t know if you can win the championship directly with such a player. Since you might still have the chance to win a title with the current team for three years, you should try to give him away and get Giannis for it.”
Will the Mavs make the next “crazy” trade?
In Dallas, they are not said to have thought about all these scenarios yet. But the Doncic trade has shown how quickly Mavs GM Harrison’s opinion can change.
“After the crazy Draft Lottery, some NBA teams are actually wondering if the Mavericks could be crazy enough to trade first Luka Doncic and then the rights for Cooper Flagg within a year,” reports Brian Windhorst of ESPN, who is well-connected in the NBA.
“This question will occupy many in the league in the coming weeks, especially because Giannis Antetokounmpo is currently planning his own future,” Windhorst continued.
Windhorst himself does not currently believe that the Mavericks could trade for Antetokounmpo. However, a final decision would not be made until the Greek himself had decided on his own future: “After that, an incredible amount can shift in the NBA.”
One way or another, it remains exciting around the Dallas Mavericks. The team from Texas has to make another decision in the coming weeks that could be significant for the years to come.