Mavericks' Anthony Davis trade just unlocked a dream reunion for Cooper Flagg

Dallas Mavericks fans have quickly forgotten that the team has two first-round picks in the 2026 NBA Draft thanks to the Anthony Davis trade, and because of this, they're in the perfect spot to reunite Cooper Flagg with Duke sharpshooter Isaiah Evans.

Evans and Flagg spent their freshman seasons together at Duke, and with the Mavericks' need for more shooting, Evans would be an excellent pick for Dallas at the end of the first round. They acquired the Oklahoma City Thunder's first-round pick in the Davis trade, and it's poised to be one of the final picks of the first round.

Mavericks are positioned to steal Isaiah Evans late in the first round

The Mavericks were roasted at the time of the Davis trade due to the quality of draft picks they received, but having an extra first-round pick in this summer's draft will be game-changing. The 2026 class is one of the strongest classes that we've seen in recent memory, and picking up someone like Isaiah Evans at pick 29 or 30 would be a major steal.

As a freshman at Duke during the 2024-25 season, Evans averaged 6.8 points per game while shooting over 40 percent from downtown. His role was to bring energy and shooting off the bench, and after originally planning to go pro, he decided to return for his sophomore season under Jon Scheyer.

Evans watched Flagg, Kon Knueppel, Sion James, Khaman Maluach, and Tyrese Proctor all go to the league after last season, but his decision to play one more year at Duke has paid off.

The 6-foot-6 guard is now averaging 14.6 points per game while shooting 36.8 percent from beyond the arc on 7.1 attempts per game for the No. 1 team in the country. His game has advanced far beyond being just a 3-point marksman, and his ability to play alongside Cam Boozer should have Mavericks fans dreaming of how he'd look next to Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg.

Evans already knows how to play a complementary role while impacting winning at the highest level, and that's what he's always done at Duke. He stays ready, no matter how big or small his role is, and this should help him become a strong spark plug in today's NBA.

Isaiah Evans would solve the Mavericks' glaring shooting problem

Evans knows his role and plays it to a tee, and this is one of the many reasons that Dallas should consider drafting him. They desperately need more shooting, as they are the 28th-ranked team in the NBA in 3-point percentage at 33.9 and 28th in 3-pointers attempted per game at 31.

Stats like these are a recipe for disaster if you want to win in the NBA, and bringing in proven 3-point marksmen should be one of the team's many priorities this summer.

Dallas doesn't shoot or make enough 3-pointers, and someone like Evans could help them get back on track in that area. His confidence, limitless range, quick release, and fundamentals make him a nightmare for opposing defenses, and defenders have to sell out on him if they want to slow him down.

Defenses' tight coverage on him has helped him develop more of an off-the-dribble game, as he isn't afraid to attack closeouts and finish at the rim. Evans is also a great movement shooter and excels at hitting threes off the catch when coming off a screen.

Flagg needs these types of players around him if they want to become a legitimate playoff team next year, and Evans could end up playing a role as they push for this goal. He's the type of low-risk, high-reward player Dallas should be eyeing at the end of the first round, and his expected draft range combined with the Mavs' needs could set them up to add another Blue Devil to the roster.