Mavericks' helpless trade disaster is still looming regardless of Cooper Flagg news

In just a matter of months, the Dallas Mavericks went from trading their franchise superstar in Luka Doncic to acquiring the draft rights to the No. 1 overall pick in Monday night's Draft Lottery. No matter what team gained the rights to draft number one overall, Duke superstar Cooper Flagg would always be the first selection.

While it has been a long few months for every Dallas fan, getting the rights to draft with the first overall pick means Flagg has a real possibility of playing for the Mavericks. This was not only an outcome Mav fans never thought would happen, but this was likely the only outcome that could have mended fans' hearts after trading Doncic to the Lakers.

To make the situation even crazier, the Mavericks have never moved up in the Draft Lottery process, and have only acquired the number one pick once. Now, with Flagg just a month and a half away from being a Maverick, Nico Harrison must avoid trading or doing anything stupid with the first overall pick in this year's draft. Even though it has already been reported that the Mavericks won't trade the first pick, as Mavs fans know better than anyone, things can change quickly.

Mavericks must avoid trading Cooper Flagg for an established star

No matter how tempting a trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo or Kevin Durant may seem, Harrison and the Mavericks front office must stick with the draft process and select Flagg. The Duke superstar isn't just one of the best players of his class, but has the potential to be one of the all-time great first overall selections in recent memory.

In Dallas, Flagg would have a golden opportunity to learn from some of the league's best veterans like Klay Thompson, Kyrie Irving, and Anthony Davis. Flagg wouldn't just become a building block for Dallas' future, but he has the potential to be the perfect two-way star that Doncic could never be as a Maverick.

With this in mind, the Mavericks must avoid trading the first overall selection for established stars like Antetokounmpo or Durant for a chance at competing for a championship for the next two to three years with their new core of Davis, Irving, and Flagg.

Dallas has long been a potential landing spot for Antetokounmpo, dating back to before Harrison took over general managing duties. Antetokounmpo would instantly become one of the best Mavericks of all time, but with Flagg on the table, the Mavericks must avoid trading for him despite the enticing rumors this offseason.

On top of the Antetokounmpo rumors, the Mavs have been rumored as a potential Kevin Durant landing spot, and even before acquiring the rights to the first overall pick, fans knew this would likely be a bad move by the front office. Durant is without a doubt one of the all-time greats, but his future in the league is in question due to his age and past injuries.

Durant would instantly make Dallas legitimate title contenders, but with the opportunity to draft a younger mold of Durant who has higher defensive upside, this is a trade Harrison can't afford to make.

No matter how enticing a trade for an established superstar may seem, Harrison must not trade away the keys to the franchise once again. Flagg has the opportunity to be one of the all-time greats, and the Mavericks were stunningly gifted with a chance at acquiring yet another freakish talent through the draft.

Regardless of the reports about Dallas keeping the pick, Mavericks fans won't be comfortable until they see Flagg walk across the draft stage wearing a Mavs draft cap next month. Fans still don't trust Harrison, and they are going to have to see Flagg get drafted by the Mavs for them to believe he is coming to Dallas.