Mavericks vindicated for no-brainer Cooper Flagg decision after overblown controversy

The Dallas Mavericks made the right decision this summer when they drafted Cooper Flagg instead of trading the No. 1 overall pick, as many fans believed the future superstar didn't want to come to Dallas. Fans overanalyzed Flagg's emotion after it was announced that Dallas won the NBA Lottery, and automatically assumed the worst.

The myth of Flagg wanting to was debunked almost immediately, and fans couldn't be more pleased, especially with his current star play. Keeping the No. 1 pick was clearly a no-brainer for the Mavericks, and the fan-driven controversy that he didn't want to come to Dallas has been left in the dust.

Flagg is currently playing his best basketball of the year, and it's a hopeful sign of even better things to come. The Mavs' rookie is currently averaging 24.2 points per game this month, a 6.4 increase from November. He had his best game on Monday when he scored a career-high 42 points and had seven rebounds against the Utah Jazz. So, it's no wonder that the organization kept its top pick.

Cooper Flagg is everything the Mavericks hoped for, and more

Remember, Dallas had a 1.8 percent chance of landing the No. 1 pick, as it was assumed they would draft at No. 11. The Mavs struck gold, though, when luck fell into their hands. It was a major blessing in disguise for an organization that had endured so much pain over the previous few months after trading Luka Doncic.

Not to mention, the selection has clearly seemed to work out for both sides. Fans that ever thought Flagg didn't want to be a Maverick are dead wrong now, and he is embracing Dallas as his own.

Recently, Flagg was interviewed about his time in Dallas since being drafted. The 18-year-old spoke highly of the team that drafted him, explaining his plans to give back to the city. Flagg also mentioned that he hopes his first city will also be his last. So, it's clear he wishes to give loyalty to the Mavericks in the same way Dirk Nowitzki did during his 21 years in Dallas.

It's the same loyalty Doncic hoped to experience before being traded. However, now with Flagg running the show, Dallas has a chance to rewrite history. They can start fresh with their rookie and lock him in for the long term.

The team has already shown its commitment to Flagg by toying with the idea of trading his counterpart, Anthony Davis. It's a sign of things to come, as they believe he has the skill set to be the head of the pack in the future. So, it's a message Flagg can't ignore.

Yet, the Mavs' trust and confidence in the top pick wouldn't be possible without his incredible success in the NBA despite being the youngest player in the NBA. The rookie has been a beast inside the paint, as he shown he can score in a variety of ways. Flagg has excelled at attacking the basket with ease by either dunking the ball or pulling up for a mid-range jumper.

His old-school style of basketball and his two-way play are what separate him from the rest of the rookies in the league. It's no wonder Flagg is one of the favorites to win Rookie of the Year, something the Mavs haven't experienced since Doncic's time.

It's obvious why fans are rejoicing that the team never attempted to trade their top pick. Flagg's successful play has proven that Dallas made the right choice in selecting him, as it's clear he hopes to make the city his long-term home.

Now, all that's left is for Flagg to continue to elevate his superstar status. If Flagg can deliver the team another title at some point in his prime, then all the pain and suffering may be well worth it. It all starts with Flagg finishing his rookie season on a high note.