Mavericks' hidden future All-Star duo is already taking shape

The Dallas Mavericks are in a tough business from the standpoint of having to juggle two timelines, but if there's one thing for certain, it's that Cooper Flagg is poised to become the face of Dallas' franchise in the next few seasons, whether the Mavericks are able to compete for a title in the Kyrie Irving-Anthony Davis era or not.

Given Flagg's tremendous work ethic at only 18 years old, it's undeniable he has future All-Star written all over him, but so does another young Maverick on this roster, that being fellow Duke University alumnus Dereck Lively II. Duke head coach Jon Scheyer has already voiced his excitement over his two former players getting a chance to suit up together in Dallas, and with Lively II only being 21 years old himself, he could definitely form a formidable duo with Flagg for years to come.

Coming off an ankle stress fracture and only 36 games played last season, Lively II is entering a crucial third year in the league, as he needs to sustain at least somewhat of good health and continue to develop on the offensive end this season. Lively II 100 percent has All-Defensive team potential in the near future if he can stay on the court, and the possibility of him adding a 3-point shot will leave Mavericks fans gawking over his potential.

Dereck Lively II and Cooper Flagg will be an All-Star duo for years to come

Lively II and Flagg already have ties together from having played at the same school, and it seems like they are hitting on all cylinders from a chemistry perspective thus far, as this is only something that projects to increase as they spend more time together in the locker room and off the court.

From an on-court perspective, Flagg may not be the pick-and-roll guru that Luka Doncic was, but one of his best offensive traits at Duke was his ability to throw lob passes in the short-roll, and this should translate well to operating in pick-and-rolls from the perimeter with Lively II as the roller given how Flagg was already taking on an increased role as a lead ball handler in Summer League for the Mavericks this past July.

Flagg and Lively II are already both defensive monsters, and the real question isn't if either of them will be in future All-Defensive team consideration, but more so if either of them will have a crack at winning Defensive Player of the Year one day.

With elite defense and rim protection between these two already being a known quantity, health and the development of both of these young players' offensive games will dictate their ceiling as a duo, but it seems more likely than not they will hit that ceiling, given how hard-working both of these young men are.

If Lively II follows a Myles Turner-esque ascension with his offensive game, or something of the sort, he could form a truly unstoppable duo with Flagg, especially since Flagg has all the tools to become one of the most elite two-way wings in the league. The Mavericks have a lot of questions heading into next season, but health permitting, the sheer potential of this young duo should not be one of those questions.