The Dallas Mavericks have plenty of offseason moves on the table as they navigate the summer.
After trading Luka Donsic, the Dallas Mavericks gave up a decade-long title window under the Slovenian superstar in exchange for three-year shots with Klay Thompson, Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis.
Soon after the trade, Irving tore his ACL, ruining the conflict plans Dallas had next season. However, the Mavericks landed their first overall pick in the NBA Draft, despite the odds. Cooper Flag is a consensus-top prospect, but Maverick has many options.
They can instead shock the world by drafting Ace Bailey or Dylan Harper, trade picks with players like Kevin Durant or Giannis Antetocomo, or all-in for the next two or three seasons, but the best action is the easiest.
Between trade rumours, draft speculation, and Nico Harrison’s general unpredictability at the front office, all options are on the MAVS table.
However, if you want to win the title, adding solid, multi-level scorers who can play elite defense should be a priority for Davis, Thompson and Healthy Irving.
Flag fits the bill and is best done for Dallas.
“Even without the number one pick, they felt they were competitors in the deals they made,” Gilbert Arenas said.
“So add a number one pick and let him get a year under him, and you know, Kylie is back and you know, maybe that team will like to get chips, 2027.”
Adding KD, Giannis, or another proven talent might tantalize, but Flag is a very balanced player and a player who can play a large number of positions. This is exactly the type of player MAV needs.
In theory, Mavs can be traded for established point guards like Trae Young and Ja Morant, but keeping the course and waiting for Irving to recover is the best option.
Irving, Thompson and Davis are all high-level players who can compete in the All-Star spot if they are healthy. Added role players like Dereck Lively II, PJ Washington, Naji Marshall, and Daniel Gafford, Mavs comes in size, shooting and physicality.
Flag is the glue that brings it all together.
He can shoot, slash, and pass. He’s not a point guard, but expect the attack to run through him, especially as Irving continues to heal him.
Flag turned 19 in December and spent last summer with Team USA’s Select Squad, playing against Davis, Lebron James and Kevin Durant.
Depending on how the Mavericks are taking advantage of him, he is the second best player on either side of the ball behind Davis and can become an All-Star from day one. As Arenas explained, trading picks does not encourage winning.