The Dallas Mavericks are making noise ahead of the NBA trade deadline-but not because they’re looking to blow things up. In fact, quite the opposite.
While names like Daniel Gafford, Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, and Kyrie Irving continue to swirl through the rumor mill, the Mavericks have drawn a clear line in the sand when it comes to three players they’re not willing to move. And at the top of that list?
Cooper Flagg.
Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick and the centerpiece of Dallas’ post-Luka Doncic era, is already proving why the franchise is building around him. The 18-year-old forward is averaging 18.8 points per game and doing it on both ends of the floor.
He’s not just a scorer-he’s a high-motor, high-IQ player who’s already impacting winning in ways that go beyond the box score. For a fanbase still recovering from past trades that didn’t quite pan out, Flagg’s untouchable status is a much-needed sign of stability.
But Flagg isn’t going it alone. Naji Marshall and Max Christie have also emerged as foundational pieces in Dallas’ rebuild-and the Mavericks are treating them as such.
Marshall is having a career year, averaging 14.7 points per game while continuing to be one of the team’s most reliable defenders. He’s the kind of two-way wing every contender covets, and if Dallas were to put him on the market, he’d draw serious interest.
But that’s not happening. The Mavericks reportedly won’t even pick up the phone unless a first-round pick is part of the conversation.
That’s a strong stance, but it reflects just how valuable Marshall has become to this team’s identity.
Then there’s Christie, who’s quietly putting together a breakout season of his own. In his first full campaign with Dallas, the 22-year-old is shooting a blistering 45.5% from three-point range while averaging 13.3 points per game-both career highs.
He’s not just spacing the floor; he’s doing it with volume, knocking down nearly six threes per game. That kind of shooting touch has the Mavericks pushing for him to earn a spot in the NBA’s annual three-point contest during All-Star Weekend.
Together, Flagg, Marshall, and Christie form the heart of a young, evolving core. It’s a group that still needs a long-term answer at center and point guard, but there’s reason for optimism.
Dereck Lively II is expected to return from a foot injury next season and could fill the void in the middle. And with Dallas likely to land another high lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, there’s a real shot at adding a franchise-caliber point guard to the mix.
In the meantime, Kyrie Irving remains a capable stopgap at the point, providing leadership and offensive firepower while the younger pieces continue to develop.
So while the Mavericks may be active around the edges of the trade deadline, don’t expect any seismic moves involving their core trio. Flagg, Marshall, and Christie aren’t just part of Dallas’ future-they are the future. And the Mavericks are making it clear: they’re not going anywhere.