The Dallas Mavericks are staring down a pivotal moment in their season-and possibly their future-with the trade deadline just around the corner. According to reports, the team is now open to fielding offers for three of its more recognizable names: Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, and Daniel Gafford. That’s not a small shift in strategy, and it signals something bigger brewing in Dallas.
At the center of it all? Cooper Flagg.
The 18-year-old rookie has been turning heads with his play, and it’s becoming increasingly clear that the Mavericks are ready to build around him. Flagg’s emergence isn’t just a feel-good story-it’s changing the calculus for a franchise that’s trying to thread the needle between competing now and setting up for long-term success. And based on what we’re hearing, Dallas is leaning hard into the latter.
Let’s start with Anthony Davis. Despite previous reassurances from minority owner Mark Cuban that Davis would remain in Dallas, Flagg’s rapid rise may have altered that stance.
Davis, a perennial All-Star and one of the league’s most dominant two-way players when healthy, already has three serious suitors lined up-all from the Eastern Conference. If a deal gets done, it could shift the balance of power in that conference overnight.
Then there’s Klay Thompson. The veteran sharpshooter hasn’t quite looked like the version of himself that helped define a dynasty in Golden State, but there’s still interest out there.
His name carries weight, and teams believe he still has something left in the tank-especially in the right system. Some around the league wouldn’t be shocked if he found his way back to the Warriors, particularly if Stephen Curry gives the front office a nudge.
Thompson’s legacy in the Bay runs deep, and a reunion isn’t out of the question.
Daniel Gafford, meanwhile, has drawn consistent attention from the Indiana Pacers. The big man has struggled with injuries, but when he’s on the floor, his rim protection and energy are hard to ignore.
The Pacers have reportedly been in steady contact with Dallas about Gafford, and he’s not their only target-their interest also extends to Utah’s Walker Kessler. It’s clear Indiana is looking to shore up its frontcourt depth, and Gafford fits the mold of the kind of interior presence they’re after.
All of this movement-or potential movement-points back to Flagg. The Mavericks are clearly pivoting to align their roster with his timeline.
It’s a bold move, but one that signals real belief in what Flagg brings to the table. He’s not just a promising rookie; he’s being treated like a franchise cornerstone in the making.
And then there’s the Kyrie Irving factor. While the Mavericks have expressed a desire to keep him, in part due to his strong relationship with Flagg, his future remains uncertain. That uncertainty may be fueling some of the urgency behind Dallas’ willingness to reshape the roster now rather than later.
With the trade deadline approaching in February, the Mavericks are positioning themselves for a major shift. Whether that results in blockbuster deals or just a retooling around their young star, one thing is clear: Cooper Flagg isn’t just the future in Dallas-he’s the present. And the Mavericks are wasting no time making sure the roster reflects that.