Mavericks' rumored Kevin Durant trade stance is exactly what Flagg needs to hear

Within days of the Dallas Mavericks trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis on February 1, another trade rumor emerged that Mavs fans were completely split on. Dallas was interested in trading for Kevin Durant to form a big three of Kyrie Irving, Davis, and Durant, and ESPN's Shams Charania's update on trade suitors for Durant this summer is exactly what Cooper Flagg needs to hear ahead of him being drafted by the team in less than two weeks.

Charania said that the five teams that have shown the most interest in trading for Durant thus far include the Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs, and Miami Heat, meaning that Dallas isn't pushing hard to trade for Durant this offseason.

The Mavs' stance on trading for Durant not being as strong as it was last season is great news for Flagg, as Dallas won't be sacrificing future draft capital and high-end role players for an aging Durant, and the starting three spot is up for the taking for Flagg. Dallas needs all of the draft capital they can get to build a future powerhouse around Flagg, and giving up a future first-round pick for a one-year rental of Durant would have been a nightmare.

Mavericks will be better off with Flagg and without Durant

Trading for Durant while keeping Davis, Irving, and the first pick (which will be used to draft Flagg) would have created a strange dynamic, as the Mavericks would have likely trotted out a starting lineup of Irving, Flagg, Durant, Davis, and Dereck Lively II, once they are fully healthy.

While the mammoth size of this unit is intriguing, forcing Flagg to start at the two right away would be an interesting tactic, as his true position is power forward or small forward. Flagg starting at the two may still end up happening, as Jason Kidd teased this possibility last month, and this will all depend on whether they trade or keep P.J. Washington.

Regardless of whether the Mavs trade Washington, though, Flagg and Mavericks fans alike should be excited that Dallas doesn't seem like they are going to make another wild blockbuster trade this summer. The Mavs winning the NBA Draft Lottery after only having a 1.8 percent chance of doing so was a miracle on its own, and they shouldn't risk messing up the positive mojo they have going on by shaking up the roster by going all in on a core of Irving, Davis, Flagg, and Durant.

Going all in on a team that has a generational prospect in Flagg (who is only 18 years old) on the roster would be an awful idea, and rather than focusing on winning a title within the next three years, Nico Harrison will be forced to broaden his horizon and accept the fact that the future with Flagg may be brighter than their current chances of contending for a title with Irving and Davis as their superstars.

Dallas will have the luxury of being a contender next season, as Flagg will immediately be a huge difference maker for them, but they must remember the bigger picture. Within a few years, the Mavericks will be Flagg's team, and they must do whatever it takes to ensure that he stays as happy as possible.

This next season will be telling on if a core of Flagg, Irving, and Davis has what it takes to win the NBA Finals, and from everything that has been reported thus far, it doesn't look like Durant will be joining the mix.