Kawhi Leonard trade rumors threaten Mavericks' optimal Cooper Flagg vision

The Dallas Mavericks are doing everything they can to start building around Cooper Flagg and the future. They started that journey on draft night by drafting Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr., a big man who will give Dallas the toughness and physicality they lacked inside. However, the Mavs' plan for the future may have taken a hit with recent trade rumors for a two-time NBA Champion.

It was recently reported that Dallas has shown interest in acquiring seven-time All-Star Kawhi Leonard. This move would go against everything Masai Ujiri mentioned about his vision for the Mavericks in his press conference last month. While fans can argue that Leonard is one of the top forwards in the league, pairing him next to Flagg would not be the right move.

Masai Ujiri's vision is clear

Last month, the Mavericks president spoke about the importance of building for the future. He spoke on how every decision the team makes will be a "future-based" one. Plus, Ujiri outlined the vision to build around Flagg, and how Dallas wasn't "going to make decisions based on winning."

"Every decision we are going to make here is going to be future-based," Ujiri said. "We have a 19-year-old generational player on our roster, and we have to think that way. We're not going to make decisions based on winning today."

If the Dallas Mavericks traded for Leonard, it would go against everything Ujiri stated in his introductory press conference.

Trading for Kawhi Leonard would be a short-term experiment

There is no question that Kawhi Leonard is one of the top players in the West. He is a seven-time All-Star, two-time NBA Champion, and two-time Defensive Player of the Year. He helped carry the Toronto Raptors to an NBA Championship in 2019 and earned the nickname "the Klaw" due to his incredible defense.

Yet, trading for him is a risk Dallas can't afford to make. Leonard is already 35 years old, and his history of injuries could be a problem in the future. Cooper Flagg needs someone who can grow and develop alongside him. The Clippers star wouldn't be that guy.

Last season, he missed 17 games due to various issues, including a left ankle sprain and knee soreness. It was an improvement from the past season, when he sat out 45 games because of a long battle with chronic knee issues. Injuries have become the norm for Leonard, and it's something the Mavericks can't gamble on.

Plus, his age is another factor. Leonard may only be good for a couple more years before he starts thinking of retiring. This means Dallas would acquire him towards the back end of his career. There is no telling how much he has left in the tank. It's best to acquire someone younger and more durable.

Leonard has been known to leave franchises like the Toronto Raptors after one season. The idea of him leaving Dallas is possible since he will be in the final year of his contract next season.

There are too many risks with Leonard, and acquiring him would go against Masai Ujiri's master plan for the Mavericks future.

Dallas needs draft capital to build for the future

Ujiri has already stated that the Dallas Mavericks' plan is to build for the future and develop around Cooper Flagg. Yet, if the rumors about trading for Kawhi Leonard are true, Dallas would be doing the opposite of what their president stated. Trading future draft capital for an injured, 35-year-old would not be the way to go.

The main issue in a proposed deal is Dallas' lack of future draft picks. The Mavs don't have control of any of their own first-round draft picks until 2031, again proving why trading any of their limited draft capital for Leonard is risky.

Next year is a perfect example of why the Mavs shouldn't give away draft capital. Dallas' draft pick is top-two protected. This means they won't get a first-round selection unless they get a top-two pick. It's an unlikely scenario that proves why the Mavericks need to hold onto their picks.

Dallas' draft situation gets progressively worse from there, as they have pick swaps in 2028 and 2030. If their plan is really to build for the future, then holding onto their draft picks is the ideal situation. Losing future draft capital for a short-term star player would only hinder Cooper Flagg's growth and development.

Fans can only hope that the Kawhi Leonard rumors are just gossip, as Masai Ujiri's plan should not be broken.

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