The Dallas Mavericks are officially stepping into the Cooper Flagg era - and while the early returns were a bit shaky, the rookie is starting to show why there’s so much buzz around him. The Mavs didn’t exactly hit the ground running this season, which raised some eyebrows considering the talent they’ve assembled. But Flagg, after a quiet start, is beginning to find his footing - and more importantly, he’s earning the trust of the locker room.
Head coach Jason Kidd highlighted something that often flies under the radar with young players: leadership acceptance. “The other thing that I think has gone unnoticed is that his teammates enjoy him running this team.
That doesn't happen in this league. I think that's a plus,” Kidd said.
That’s no small compliment in a league where rookies are usually expected to listen, learn, and wait their turn. For Flagg to already be steering the ship - and have the veterans on board - says a lot about his poise and presence.
Still, the Mavericks are staring at a critical stretch. The Western Conference isn’t forgiving, and if Dallas wants to stay in the playoff picture, they’ll need to course-correct fast. If they can’t turn things around soon, the front office may be forced to consider some tough decisions - including the future of Anthony Davis.
Davis, a 10-time All-Star and one of the league’s premier two-way forces, could become a trade chip if the Mavs decide to shift fully into a youth-first rebuild around Flagg. And there’s no shortage of interest.
Teams like the Pistons, Raptors, and Hawks are all reportedly monitoring the situation closely. Each of those squads is having a strong season in the East and could view Davis as the missing piece to push them into legitimate title contention.
One potential trade scenario making the rounds has the Atlanta Hawks offering a substantial package to land Davis. The proposed deal? Kristaps Porziņģis, rookie forward Asa Newell, sharpshooter Luke Kennard, and a 2027 first-round pick (top-4 protected via New Orleans or Milwaukee) heading to Dallas in exchange for Davis.
From the Hawks’ perspective, this is a swing-for-the-fences type of move. They reportedly have their sights set on Davis and, if they can land him without giving up their most prized assets, it could catapult them into the upper echelon of the East. Adding a player like Davis - who’s spent his entire career in the Western Conference - would bring a new dynamic to Atlanta’s frontcourt and instantly raise their ceiling.
For Dallas, the return could align well with their long-term vision. Asa Newell, a member of the 2025 draft class, fits the timeline of a Flagg-led rebuild.
Porziņģis, while no longer the centerpiece he once was, brings familiarity and floor spacing. Kennard adds shooting, and the future first-rounder gives the Mavericks another asset for the road ahead.
If this trade were to go down, it would mark Davis’ second straight season being moved - and the third trade of his career. That kind of movement is rare for a player of his caliber, but it may just reflect the shifting priorities of the teams he’s been a part of.
For Dallas, it could be the final step in handing the keys fully to Flagg. For Davis, it might be another fresh start - and possibly his best chance yet at making a deep postseason run in a new conference.
One thing’s clear: the Mavericks are evolving, and Cooper Flagg is at the center of it all. Whether that evolution includes Anthony Davis much longer remains to be seen.