Duke Blue joining the Mavs Cooper Flagg, a basketball standout for the Devils, may indicate that Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II, and Anthony Davis are up for trade.

Cooper Flagg, the most electrifying prospect in college basketball, is reportedly headed to the Dallas Mavericks—a move that has sent shockwaves throughout the NBA and ignited rumors of a potential frontcourt shake-up in Dallas. While Flagg’s transition from Duke to the pros was all but expected, the destination is what’s sparking intrigue.

The Mavericks, already boasting a star-studded backcourt with Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, are now adding the versatile, two-way phenom from Duke, whose basketball IQ, elite athleticism, and defensive instincts make him one of the most promising players to enter the league in recent years. However, with Flagg’s position overlapping with several key bigs already on the Mavericks’ roster—namely Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II, and the long-rumored trade target Anthony Davis—there’s rising speculation that significant moves are on the horizon.

Flagg’s lone season at Duke was the stuff of legends. Averaging 20.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.7 blocks, and 2.5 assists per game, the freshman was not just a star but the heart of the Blue Devils’ defense and transition offense. He led Duke to the Final Four and took home multiple national awards including the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year.

Scouts have compared him to a hybrid of Kevin Garnett and Kawhi Leonard, noting his motor, elite anticipation, and unselfishness on offense. At 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot wingspan and an innate feel for the game, Flagg projects as a future All-NBA player and an instant impact contributor. It’s no surprise then that the Mavericks made it a priority to acquire the pick needed to draft him.

But adding Flagg raises questions—namely, where does he fit on a team that already has several promising or established big men?

The Mavericks’ 2023–24 season revealed the value of rim protection and vertical spacing. Lively emerged as a revelation during his rookie campaign, anchoring the Mavs’ interior defense and finishing lobs with authority. His chemistry with Luka Dončić was undeniable, and his upside as a long-term anchor remains high.

Gafford, acquired midseason to reinforce the frontcourt, proved to be a high-energy backup or complementary starter. In tandem with Lively, Dallas rolled out a formidable two-headed monster in the paint that gave opposing teams fits. But with Flagg in the mix—who can guard wings and bigs, switch on the perimeter, and also crash the glass—having two traditional rim-runners may not be optimal.

Sources around the league suggest the Mavericks are evaluating trade options involving Gafford and even Lively II in larger packages, possibly for a stretch big or a more versatile wing-forward combo. The acquisition of Flagg, with his elite defensive instincts and switchability, makes at least one of the Mavericks’ current centers potentially expendable.

The Anthony Davis rumors have been swirling for months, and Flagg’s arrival may accelerate talks. Davis, an 8-time All-Star and one of the league’s best two-way big men, has had a complex tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers. While dominant when healthy, his durability remains a concern, and the Lakers have reportedly considered retooling their roster around younger assets.

Enter Dallas.

The Mavericks, with Luka Dončić entering his prime and Kyrie Irving still playing elite ball, are in win-now mode. Adding a talent like Flagg is as much about the future as it is about the present. But pairing him with Davis could create one of the most devastating defensive duos in the NBA while taking pressure off Dončić and Irving on the offensive end.

According to league insiders, there’s real traction behind a potential package deal that could include Dereck Lively II, Tim Hardaway Jr., and future draft picks in exchange for Davis. Such a move would catapult the Mavs into championship contention immediately, though it would also introduce significant injury risk with Davis.

Still, the appeal is hard to ignore. A frontcourt featuring Flagg and Davis, flanked by Dončić and Irving in the backcourt, would make the Mavericks one of the most talented and balanced teams in the league.

While Gafford and Lively have been strong in their roles, Flagg’s unique skill set allows for greater lineup flexibility. Unlike the traditional centers, Flagg can initiate offense from the top of the key, defend multiple positions, and space the floor with a developing jump shot. He’s not just a rim-runner or shot-blocker—he’s a modern, positionless forward who allows Jason Kidd to get creative.

Flagg’s feel for the game is rare. His ability to read defensive rotations, deliver precise passes, and anticipate plays makes him valuable beyond the box score. He’s the kind of player who fits into any lineup, elevates others, and doesn’t require the ball to dominate.

This versatility could ultimately push Dallas to choose between keeping the traditional bigs or leaning fully into a modern, switch-heavy system. If Flagg proves capable of holding his own at the 5 in small-ball lineups, Gafford’s and Lively’s roles may diminish further.

Both Gafford and Lively have value around the league. Gafford is on a reasonable contract and offers reliable rim protection and energy. Teams like the Charlotte Hornets, Washington Wizards, or even the Oklahoma City Thunder could use a physical center like Gafford.

Lively, meanwhile, is viewed as a blue-chip young big. His age, upside, and cost-controlled rookie contract make him a valuable trade asset. If the Mavericks were to move him, they’d likely seek a high-level player in return—or use him as a key piece in a multi-team deal to net Davis or another star.

Several executives believe Dallas could also explore smaller deals—moving Gafford to a team needing size while keeping Lively as Flagg’s frontcourt partner for the long-term. But that would depend on how Flagg adjusts to NBA physicality and whether the Mavs truly believe he can anchor a small-ball unit defensively.

The Mavericks are clearly shifting gears. Luka Dončić is at the height of his powers, and the front office knows the time to contend is now. Drafting Cooper Flagg is both a long-term and short-term move—giving the team a cornerstone for the future while bolstering the roster for an immediate playoff run.

But for Dallas to truly optimize its roster, tough decisions must be made. Carrying Gafford, Lively, and Flagg may create redundancy. Trading one or both of the traditional bigs, or packaging them for an elite player like Anthony Davis, could be the difference between being a playoff team and a title favorite.

And then there’s the question of Kyrie Irving’s longevity and whether a third superstar forward—especially one as injury-prone as Davis—is worth the risk. But the presence of Flagg, with his uncanny maturity and game-changing talent, gives the Mavericks more flexibility and options than they’ve had in years.

Cooper Flagg’s arrival in Dallas is more than a headline—it’s a domino that could reshape the entire Mavericks roster. With Gafford, Lively II, and the specter of Anthony Davis looming, Dallas stands at a crossroads. Do they double down on youth and development with Flagg and Lively, or push all their chips in for a win-now superstar?

Either way, the addition of Duke’s generational talent marks the beginning of a new chapter. One thing’s for certain—the Mavericks aren’t done making noise. And as the NBA world watches, expect more fireworks from a franchise suddenly loaded with options, talent, and ambition.