Mavericks' Jason Kidd drama is the exact nightmare Cooper Flagg didn't need

The talk of the Dallas Mavericks lately hasn't been how they're going to build around Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving. Instead, what looked to be nothing but a pipe dream, turned into something bigger.

While the Mavericks ended all of the chatter about Jason Kidd leaving in the middle of his contract to join the New York Knicks, there was originally reported "mutual intrigue" between Kidd and the Knicks about this partnership. This dispels the myth that these rumors were one-sided from the Knicks; it appeared that Kidd was somewhat interested in leaving for New York.

While the rumors are now dead, this almost set up to be an ugly week for Flagg, who's planning on visiting the team next week.

Kidd-Knicks rumors nearly became a major distraction for Cooper Flagg

These Kidd-to-Knicks rumors were something that the Mavericks didn't need now, as Flagg and his camp have already been clear that their mind is set on being picked by Dallas. Both sides seem to be on the same page, and it's just a matter of time until Flagg is officially a Maverick. Flagg didn't plan any other visits to different teams. as he will only visit Dallas.

But with the Kidd rumors spiraling over the last few days, this nearly set up an unprecedented time for an 18-year-old Flagg at a time when he doesn't need any distractions. He's set on joining the Mavericks without any unknowns, but with the front office and their recent history, we can't be too sure.

Kidd moving to New York never made much sense as it is. After all, he already signed a multi-year contract extension during last year's playoff run. The Knicks have some major questions with their roster, from bench depth to the Knicks' true feelings about Karl-Anthony Towns being exposed.

The Mavs are in a much better situation to compete for an NBA title. With Kidd basically getting new life as an NBA coach with Flagg, he's set in a great position for a long time, that is, if Nico Harrison doesn't plan on trading him even after denying the Knicks' request to interview him this morning.

The only thing that might be lingering on Kidd's mind is the Luka Doncic trade that shocked the world. Kidd was left in the dust to answer questions that only Harrison could answer. It led Kidd to miss a postgame press conference, which is extremely rare in the NBA. He used the time as a way to regroup after several heartbreaking injuries, but he was also likely worn out from the Doncic turmoil.

Not that it would be his entire fault, but Kidd leaving would have left Flagg in the dust. Kidd and assistant coach Sean Sweeney are defensive-minded coaches and will help Flagg tremendously in his transition to playing NBA defense. Things originally looked uncertain, and this was something Flagg shouldn't have been a part of before he put on the Dallas uniform.

The Mavericks should have ended the Kidd-Knicks rumors right when they started a week ago, and this story continuing as long as it did set a horrible example to Flagg and his camp when it comes to how things have been run in Dallas right now.