Mavericks' new kryptonite was just brutally exposed by Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets

The Dallas Mavericks have a lot of questions to answer this offseason. The first is Cooper Flagg. Who is he, and how will he change the team?

For starters, Flagg is a generational talent. He has the hardest work ethic and is described as one of the top college forwards. Flagg's defense has also been the talk of the town. This could work well in his favor, as Nice Harrison has stressed the motto that "defense wins championships" ever since he traded Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis.

However, adding Flagg could come with some issues. If Dallas were to add Flagg, it would cause an abundance of frontcourt players. The Mavs are already loaded with players like P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford, and there is a chance one of them could be traded if the team were to include Flagg in the mix.

Gafford, for instance, could be competing for starting center money with Dereck Lively II, while Washington might be the odd man out. This is the reality of the Mavs' roster, as there may not be room for everyone.

Harrison's vision may not come true with Anthony Davis in charge

One player safe from the trade rumors is Davis. If you recall, Davis became the Mavs' cornerstone piece in February when the team traded for him. Harrison believed he was the perfect candidate to lead the Mavs to the promised land, as Davis is a two-way player who fits Harrison's criteria.

The NBA landscape has changed, though, as picking Davis may not be the right option.

For example, look at the four teams left in the playoffs. Their best player is a guard/wing who has been their primary scorer. Let's break it down further: the Indiana Pacers have Tyrese Haliburton, the New York Knicks have Jalen Brunson, the Minnesota Timberwolves have Anthony Edwards, and the Oklahoma City Thunder have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Just look at the Denver Nuggets' performance Sunday as an example. They struggled to match the Thunder's energy after the second quarter. Overall, the Nuggets shot 22.2 percent from the 3-point line and had 14 fast-break points. Their offensive struggles got to them, as they recorded 23 turnovers and 19 fouls.

Denver failed to provide Nikola Jokic with help, as only two other starters recorded double-digit points. They became too reliant on Jokic. Their whole offense revolved around him, and they needed a secondary playmaker.

Offensively, they struggled to do the basics. The Nuggets couldn't complete a basic entry pass to their star player, as the Thunder defense was playing physically with Jokic. Oklahoma's defense did a great job, setting up a zone and forcing Denver's other players to step up. In simple terms, the Nuggets put up a lot of bad shots and became too reliant on Jokic.

Denver also struggled to move the ball, as two starters were injured and a majority of their roster players were non-shooters.

This is something the Mavs must avoid. If Dallas plans to lean on Davis as their cornerstone, then they must equip him with numerous playmakers and ball-handlers. Denver's offensive struggles from Sunday are the perfect example, and they reminded fans of some issues Dallas had with Davis at certain points last season.

When you look at Dallas' roster, players like Naji Marshall and Dante Exum (even though he is a free agent) are primary playmakers. They have no trouble shooting the ball or driving to the hoop. Aside from them, Dallas lacks other players who can create their own shots. Now, Flagg could be that guy, but only time will tell.

As for the ball-handling aspect, Kyrie Irving was that guy. Yet, with Irving out for a majority of the season, the team will need another player to take charge. They need someone who can find their open teammates or take control on their own. Brandon Williams is capable of the things listed, but is still developing.

The Mavs had all the things listed above with Doncic. He was a primary guard who had excellent ball-handling skills and could easily handle the rock. He's gone, though, and the reality is Dallas needs other players to replicate his talents.

So, the Mavs need good guards and playmakers to pair next to Davis. They don't want to suffer the same fate as the Denver Nuggets if they hope to make Harrison's vision come true.

If the NBA Playoffs taught us anything this year, it is that guards/wings run the show. Anthony Davis could change that narrative in the coming seasons, but it will be up to Dallas to help him out by adding the right pieces around him this summer.