Newest Flagg rumor is first major step in turning Mavericks dream into a reality

The Dallas Mavericks are just over a month away from selecting Cooper Flagg with the NBA Draft's first overall pick and changing the current landscape of Dallas. With Flagg at the center of the franchise, the Mavericks don't just become more of a win-now team, but the path to a brighter future just got exponentially easier.

Flagg doesn't just become the face of the franchise for the Mavericks the second he is drafted, but will instantly become one of the team's best defenders. While Dallas' frontcourt will instantly get better with Flagg's addition, the Mavericks are on the cusp of losing one of their longest tenured assistant coaches, Sean Sweeney, to the Phoenix Suns.

Sweeney's departure would no doubt affect the Mavericks' defensive product, but with Flagg soon joining the roster, it may not matter.

With the NBA's draft combine process coming to a close, many players are taking meetings with teams that they expect could take them. While Flagg will be the unarguable number one pick, a meeting with the Mavericks will be necessary, and according to ESPN, the two parties will likely meet really soon in Dallas.

Flagg's long-awaited meeting with Mavericks is first step in NBA journey

There is no doubt that a meeting between Flagg and the Mavericks front office brass and the coaching staff is necessary ahead of the June 25 draft night. While Flagg is still the consensus number one overall pick, and the Mavericks seem dead set on taking Flagg, a meeting is still important between the two parties.

According to ESPN's Jonathan Givony, Flagg is scheduled to meet with the Mavericks in Dallas. For obvious reasons, it's hard to know what exactly will be talked about as the two meet in person for the first time, but it's important that Nico Harrison makes it clear that Flagg will be the face of the franchise and virtually untradable.

Assuming Harrison can lay the groundwork for Flagg so that he will become a pivotal piece of Dallas' future moving forward, basketball-related questions can become relevant. It could be easy to expect the two parties will talk about role and fit as well as what Flagg can work on ahead of the draft process and into the offseason.

Assuming Flagg can come into training camp or even the Summer League prepared for what the Mavericks need from him, the sky could be the limit for Flagg during his time in Dallas.

Some things Dallas might ask Flagg to work on could be his shooting and ball-handling capabilities. By no means is Flagg a bad shooter or below-average ball-handler, but to come into his first season knowing to work on those two weak points of his game is a strong start to a long career.

Within this meeting, the Mavericks will likely get a better idea of what moves they can expect to make this offseason. Dallas is in desperate need of guard help, but with Flagg's help, the Mavericks can better understand what lineup combinations might be better suited for the 18-year-old.

It's unclear when the two parties will exactly meet in person, but the idea of Flagg soon being in Dallas is a strong start to a very important offseason.