Anthony Davis‘ move to the Dallas Mavericks was one of the biggest headlines of the 2024-25 NBA season.
His arrival, intended to create a super-duo with Luka Doncic, generated immediate excitement and short-term success. But just one year later, the landscape is shifting again – and fast.
With 18-year-old phenom Cooper Flagg officially entering the 2025 NBA Draft after a strong season at Duke, the Mavericks‘ front office, led by Nico Harrison, is now reportedly re-evaluating the franchise’s long-term direction.
Flagg dazzled in his lone NCAA season, living up to the hype with his elite defense, high basketball IQ, and playmaking ability well beyond his years. Widely projected as the No. 1 overall pick,
Flagg is seen by many scouts as a generational talent – the type of player a franchise could (and should) build around. Dallas, having acquired future assets and developed flexibility under Harrison, is said to be exploring aggressive trade options to move up in the draft.
Davis’ future in Dallas no longer guaranteed
While Davis still has time left on his contract, the Mavericks are reportedly weighing the long-term sustainability of a Doncic-Davis core. At 32 and with a history of injuries, Davis may not fit the timeline if the Mavericks do secure Flagg – whose development could benefit from a younger supporting cast.
This doesn’t necessarily mean Davis is on the trade block yet, but league insiders suggest the front office is prepared to pivot if an opportunity arises to draft Flagg and reshape the team around youth. It’s a bold shift in strategy that could redefine the Western Conference hierarchy.
Whether Dallas pulls off a draft-night stunner or not, one thing is clear: Cooper Flagg’s entry into the NBA has put pressure on front offices – and even veterans like Davis – to rethink the future.
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