Cooper Flagg is already proving Nico Harrison and the Mavericks right

The real truth behind the Luka Doncic trade wasn't satisfying enough for Dallas Mavericks fans, even if they eventually got a clear explanation for it. The main excuse was Doncic's poor conditioning, also saying that he partakes in too much hookah and beer off the court, and that he doesn't work hard enough on his body. His stunning transformation during the summer has shown that it was just a matter of time until he was going to set himself straight.

Now, Cooper Flagg has been working extremely hard on his body and is the definition of a gym rat. He's already working on himself outside the court. If true, this could unlock what Nico Harrison always wanted, compared to Doncic being out of shape, at least according to what Harrison thought. Flagg was ready to work even before the draft.

"(Flagg) has been in the lab all summer long in Maine and Los Angeles, with league sources indicating the progress he has made physically and his overall game being evident since his final collegiate game," Noah Weber of The Smoking Cuban reported earlier this summer.

The one trait Nico Harrison will love most about Cooper Flagg

This is exactly what Harrison should admire about his 18-year-old sensation. Flagg in the lab proves that Harrison doesn't need to worry about him at all. Of course, Mavs fans will always be on edge for trading away Doncic, but if Harrison stays true to his exact words, then fans won't have to worry about Flagg being traded at all.

Doncic being traded was a shock, but Flagg is already presenting the tools necessary to become an MVP candidate of his own someday. His 3-point shot is already up to speed, and his court vision already proves that he's going to be a high-IQ player very soon. Flagg and Doncic are almost similar in the way they see the game. Flagg's defense at Duke was outstanding, too. His anticipation to pick off the ball leads to easy offense and easy buckets.

Doncic needed to get in shape, and there's no doubt about it. Just a simple search would help jog fans' memories of how Doncic used to look. He looked vastly different when we compare him from 2019 to 2025. Doncic has gotten better every year since his sensational rookie season, improving to MVP territory at this point, but this was just a rare situation where Harrison feels that they just couldn't win with Doncic.

The Los Angeles Lakers might be getting the Doncic 2.0, but this shouldn't stop the Mavs faithful from being pumped at what Flagg is going to bring to the team. His playmaking skills are already fantastic, but his calm demeanor and poise are also incredible for an 18-year-old kid. Harrison should be proud that he was able to land a player with such a smooth personality.

Fans will never forget that the face of their city was stolen from them on the 11th hour on a weekend back in February, but the basketball gods clearly sent a message to Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis that they still have so much to play for, thanks to Flagg already playing like a pro.