Cooper Flagg could derail Mavericks' dream in the best way possible

The Dallas Mavericks believe that Dereck Lively II could become a future Defensive Player of the Year one day, and while this would be a dream come true for the Mavs and their fans, Cooper Flagg may beat Lively II to win this award.

Lively II being included in conversations about being the best defensive player in the NBA will all rely upon his health and ability to put on more size to battle down low, and Flagg could find himself chasing his first Defensive Player of the Year before anyone realizes it. He was the unanimous best defensive prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft, and Mavs fans will quickly realize that his defense is what is going to make them fall in love with him.

This isn't a knock on his offensive game at all, as he is a strong finisher, passer, and rising shooter, but his ability to lock down the other team's best player on the other end is why he'll quickly become one of the most valuable players on the team. As a freshman at Duke, Flagg averaged 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks per game, and his impact on defense was obvious any time that he was on the floor.

Flagg may leapfrog Lively II in the future Defensive Player of the Year race

Flagg's help defense is what makes him so special, as his anticipation of what the opponent is going to do with the ball is incredible, and he has a knack for intercepting passes like a defensive back and flying through the air for a chasedown or help-side block. He could become one of the best wing help defenders in the NBA as a rookie, and Jason Kidd is going to be able to use him in a variety of ways on both ends of the floor.

Kidd has already made it clear that he plans to give Flagg plenty of reps with the ball in his hands on offense, but what Mavericks fans may not realize yet is that his defensive versatility is even more intriguing than his offensive versatility.

Flagg can effectively guard two through four, and if he gets put into a pick and roll, Kidd will never have to worry about who he gets switched onto. Standing at 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot wingspan, Flagg has the frame to hang with almost anyone in the league, and while his physical tools may be what you notice first when watching him play, his energy and effort are what make him invaluable.

Flagg plays as hard as anyone on the defensive end of the floor, and he wants to lock down the player standing in front of him as badly as he wants to throw down a posterizing slam on the opposite end, and this is what makes him so special. It's rare to find a top prospect, especially on the wing, who gives 110 percent effort defensively, and this is what could get him in Defensive Player of the Year conversations immediately.

This award has typically gone to bigs over the last 15 years or so, which could give Lively II an advantage to stay ahead of Flagg in these conversations, but Flagg may be so impactful right away that he enters Defensive Player of the Year conversations within a few years.

The Mavericks would be thrilled if Flagg or Lively II could even come close to winning a Defensive Player of the Year, and the potential friendly competition of this future star duo from Duke to chase this coveted award is going to be must-watch television for years to come.