Cooper Flagg is the Mavericks' unexpected secret weapon for their GM chase

The Dallas Mavericks have been rumored to be targeting some of the top general managers in the NBA. While most of these names are already in great positions, the ability to build around a ceiling-less 19-year-old in Cooper Flagg undoubtedly gives the Mavericks an edge to lure one of their top targets. Dallas has been rumored to be targeting GMs such as Koby Altman, R.C. Buford, Brad Stevens, Sam Presti, Tim Connelly, and a former colleague of Mavericks CEO Rick Welts, Bob Meyers.

Attaining any of those names besides Meyers would prove to be a challenging prospect, as those GMs have all basically built perennial 50-plus win teams this season or in past seasons. However, besides Buford's case with the San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembanyama, there aren't any prospects on any of those other rosters that are as young and good as Flagg already is, and any GM coming to the Mavericks basically has a clean slate to build around Flagg.

Sure, Dallas is limited as far as their future draft capital is concerned until 2031, but with a solid chance at landing a top-10 pick in a loaded draft class this year, Dallas could potentially find another young star in the making to pair with Flagg. They project to be much healthier next season with Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II returning to the lineup, as Flagg's presence has manufactured a bright future for the Mavericks following the disaster of the Luka Doncic trade.

Flagg's presence gives Dallas a huge advantage to lure a top GM

Whether it's one of the already employed candidates or someone like Meyers or Masai Ujiri, the Mavericks have a very intriguing situation with Flagg spearheading the roster moving forward. From a GM's vantage point, he would look far more successful transforming a situation like Dallas following the Doncic trade compared to elevating a team from the middle of the pack.

Patrick Dumont is one of the wealthier owners in the league as well, so he'd probably be willing to throw a good chunk of change at any of these top candidates, which makes the job even more appealing. Had Dallas not gotten the No. 1 pick in last year's lottery, this would be an entirely different story, but Flagg epitomizes the type of player any potential GM would want to headline their franchise.

Flagg is the building block any GM in the league would covet

He's a lengthy 6-foot-9 wing with already developing guard skills that can mold himself into a three-level scorer once his 3-point shot comes around one day, and he's the ultimate character guy who competes relentlessly on both ends for every single second he's on the court.

Besides Wembanyama, it's hard to make the argument that anyone under 25 years old has as much potential in the league as Flagg does, and his offensive game has taken off quicker than anyone could've imagined.

Flagg or not, Dallas won't have an easy time convincing an already established GM to leave a favorable scenario for a currently 24-win Mavericks team. However, it definitely gives them a puncher's chance, and undoubtedly increases the likelihood of landing someone who isn't employed by an NBA team like Ujiri or Meyers, should they elect not to promote Michael Finley or Matt Riccardi from within.