Cooper Flagg clears way for Mavericks to unexpectedly bring back fan favorite

On Monday night, the Dallas Mavericks' future took a complete 180 when they lucked out during the NBA's Draft Lottery and got the first overall pick in this summer's draft. Duke standout Cooper Flagg will be taken with the first overall pick, which can change the direction of any franchise or make them title contenders right away.

Flagg is one of the most hyped prospects to come out of college in the last few decades, and his stats back up the noise. As a freshman, Flagg led the Blue Devils in every major statistical category with 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, along with 1.4 steals and blocks per outing.

With Flagg more than likely joining the Mavericks, it will create a logjam at the forward and center positions. Not only can Flagg operate as the Mavericks' sole power forward at times when Anthony Davis is subjected to the bench, injured, or playing the five, but with the current need for a guard, it could mean the end of a fan-favorite center's tenure in Dallas.

Daniel Gafford has had many amazing moments as a Maverick, but it's clear his future in Dallas could be cloudy as he approaches a critical contract year. There have been rumblings that Gafford could get traded this summer, and it's clear the Mavs want to add guard depth. With this in mind, the Mavericks could seek the perfect Gafford replacement by looking from within, as young big man Kai Jones performed outstandingly for the Mavericks toward the back half of the season after being signed to a two-way contract.

Mavericks' key move after trading Gafford would be re-signing Jones

Kai Jones was the former 19th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. While Jones has always been coveted for his high motor on both sides of the floor, as he can block shots at the rim and catch alley-oops, his professional career has been in jeopardy over the past few seasons due to some off-court issues.

At the beginning of the season, Jones originally signed a two-way contract with the LA Clippers, but after being cut by the Clippers halfway through the season, he signed with the Mavericks amid injury crises. Dallas wasn't just in need of major size at the center position after injuries to Gafford and Dereck Lively II, but Jones surprised fans and filled in perfectly despite the chaos going on around him.

As the lone big man on the floor at times, Jones shined on both ends due to his springy athleticism and high motor. Jones constantly became the only Mavericks lob threat and wowed fans with his ability to eliminate shots that came his way.

With the Mavericks, Jones appeared in 12 games and averaged an impressive 11.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, all while shooting 83.6 percent from the field. Many fans have been quick to write off Jones due to his wacky jump shot, but his ability to use his jump hook to build off of heading into next season.

At this stage in their careers, Gafford may look like the clear upgrade over Jones, but with Gafford being due an extension heading into the season, Jones could become the clear replacement if he were to agree to a veteran minimum contract, as he is set to become a free agent.

Jones still has yet to sign with the Mavericks, as free agency doesn't begin until June 30, but he proved he could be a reliable backup center on a competitive team. Jones wouldn't only offer rim-rolling and shot-blocking at a cheaper price, but Dallas would likely only need to sign him to a veteran minimum deal compared to Gafford's possible expensive contract.

The Mavericks could trade Gafford before letting him walk scot-free into next summer's free agency period, and a guard will probably be what the big man is traded for. Assuming this does happen, Jones could be the perfect Gafford replacement at a much cheaper cost.