Cooper Flagg just made the Mavericks' bold offseason trade plan exponentially easier

Jared A’Latorre

Cooper Flagg / Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

The Dallas Mavericks were awarded with more than a gift when they got the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft on Monday night. Flagg has been one of the most talked-about basketball players for the past two years since his days at Monteverde Academy, and Dallas plans on drafting him with the first pick next month. After winning the AP National Player of the Year award in his freshman season, it wasn't a surprise at all.

His multi-dimensional playmaking abilities have made it impossible for Nico Harrison to think about Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who's potentially looking at a new home this summer. Now, it's up to Flagg to pick up the torch to help the Mavs win without Kyrie Irving for the first half of the season.

The Flagg effect is already taking place, with him already making it easier as to what Harrison should do this offseason.

Mavericks picking Cooper Flagg will make frontcourt trades easier

No one can deny the work that guys like P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford have done since they've been in Dallas. Without their contributions, there's no way that the Mavs would've made the NBA Finals in 2024. With the Mavs winning the Flagg sweepstakes, it could mean the end for one of these beloved Mavs, as they are both on expiring contracts and Dallas' frontcourt is extremely crowded.

Washington has improved as a long-range shooter in Dallas, but with Flagg inserted into the lineup, this would become a very big lineup with Flagg playing the two spot if Washington were to stay on the roster (and in the starting lineup). Putting Washington up for a trade makes him look like an attractive piece for some much-needed guard depth in Dallas.

Washington has been one of the enforcers to protect his teammates from any disputes on the court. If he is traded, he will no doubt be missed.

With Daniel Gafford also involved in trade rumbles, the smoke is clearing for him to leave. Rumors circulating of Gafford wanting "starting center money" and potentially being a trade candidate are fair, considering he's one of the best energy guys in the league, along with becoming one of the more elite shot-blockers for the past five seasons.

The Mavs might get fortunate this offseason, and it's all thanks to Cooper Flagg. Harrison can use this offseason to clean up their loaded frontcourt to fix their guard depth, and get someone like Anfernee Simons, Tyus Jones, or Malcolm Brogdon to take the pressure off of young guard Brandon Williams and replace Irving for the first few months.

Losing any of these guys would be a heartbreaker, but with questions regarding the future of Spencer Dinwiddie and Dante Exum, as they are both free agents, it looks like the perfect time for Harrison to make magic this offseason by trading one of his frontcourt staples for a high-level guard.

Jared A’Latorre

Jared is the Site Expert of Sport DFW, and oversees Dallas sports all the time. He also spent time as a Senior Contributor to The Smoking Cuban, The Landry Hat and Gig Em' Gazette. His work has been featured on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, Yahoo Sports and MSN. He also covered various sports at Oklahoma State and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sports Media from Oklahoma State. He's done play-by-play radio broadcasting in North Central Oklahoma and currently does play-by-play radio broadcasting for high school football in North Texas. Jared is also a co-host for Grizzlies Digest, covering the Memphis Grizzlies. In his free time, Jared loves watching sports, spending time with family and friends and watching anything Billy Bob Thornton related.