Duke Star Cooper Flagg Joins Dallas Mavericks Superteam: Why No NBA Team Will Beat This Starting Five Four Times

Cooper Flagg hasn’t played a single minute in the NBA yet, but if the Dallas Mavericks land him in the upcoming draft, it’s over. Not just over for the tanking teams. Not just over for the mid-tier playoff hopefuls. It’s over for everybody. Because a starting five built around Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving, Cooper Flagg, Dereck Lively II, and a capable stretch four is going to be downright impossible to beat in a seven-game series. Let’s be honest—nobody’s beating this team four times next season.

Cooper Flagg has been labeled as the best NBA prospect since LeBron James by some, and while those comparisons can feel hyperbolic, Flagg continues to prove he deserves every ounce of hype. His one year at Duke was nothing short of mesmerizing. He blended elite athleticism, defensive instincts, basketball IQ, and a cold-blooded approach to the game that already resembles an NBA veteran. He’s a 6-foot-9 forward who can guard every position, knock down shots, block anything near the rim, and carry an offense when called upon. Sound like someone you want on your NBA roster? The Mavericks sure think so.

Now imagine Flagg not having to carry the offense. Imagine him being the third scoring option on a team led by Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. That’s not just scary—it’s devastating. Luka has mastered the art of orchestrating an offense. His blend of strength, vision, and scoring makes him the most unguardable engine in basketball. Kyrie, with his otherworldly handle and clutch shot-making, is the ultimate secondary creator. Plug Cooper Flagg into that equation, and you’re talking about a young star who doesn’t need to force anything. He will find his spots. He will crash the glass. He’ll rotate defensively with a veteran’s timing. And when you least expect it, he’ll hit a dagger three or sky for an emphatic putback dunk that changes the game’s momentum.

Dallas has already laid the groundwork for this kind of team. Dereck Lively II emerged this past season as a reliable rim protector and elite lob threat. The chemistry between him and Luka was evident early and often. Add Flagg’s two-way game to the frontcourt next to Lively, and you’ve got twin towers that don’t just protect the paint—they switch, they communicate, they disrupt passing lanes, and they finish on the other end. And while Flagg may not be a traditional power forward, his ability to slide between the three and four means Dallas can be creative. They could go with a big wing shooter in the fifth starting slot—someone like P.J. Washington or a veteran floor spacer who won’t need the ball in his hands but can bury threes when Luka finds him.

What truly sets this team apart is balance. Everyone talks about “superteams” being built on offense. But Dallas, with Flagg in the mix, would be a two-way nightmare. Luka and Kyrie handle the scoring, while Flagg and Lively anchor the defense. This isn’t a team where guys have to fight over usage rates. Flagg is a connector. He makes the extra pass. He rotates on time. He has the maturity to let the game come to him. He’s the kind of rookie who won’t need time to adjust to NBA speed—because his game has always operated at an elite pace.

But let’s address the elephant in the room—Flagg’s age and inexperience. Can a 19-year-old truly be a difference-maker on a team with championship aspirations? The answer, in Flagg’s case, is yes. He’s not your typical rookie. He’s a culture-changer. Think about how rookies like Tim Duncan and Magic Johnson altered the trajectory of franchises instantly. That’s the kind of effect Flagg has. He elevates everyone around him, not just because of talent, but because of the mindset. He’s a gym rat. He’s got that quiet intensity that mirrors some of the all-time greats. When you combine that with Luka’s flair and Kyrie’s unpredictability, it creates a perfect storm of dominance.

You also have to consider how much Flagg’s presence would open up Dallas’ playbook. With him on the wing, Jason Kidd could experiment with more aggressive switching schemes, zone looks, or even pressure defenses that weren’t feasible with their current personnel. Offensively, Flagg gives Dallas another ball-handler and decision-maker—someone who can initiate a fast break or keep the offense flowing with high-IQ reads. His ability to grab a defensive rebound and push the ball in transition adds a new layer to an already dynamic offense.

And while Dončić has carried massive loads for Dallas in the past, the arrival of Flagg would mean less wear and tear over the regular season. That’s important. Luka has been asked to do everything for the Mavericks since day one. Giving him a generational defender and secondary scorer like Flagg allows him to conserve energy for what really matters: the playoffs. And when the lights are brightest, this team will shine.

Let’s run through the likely starting five:

PG: Luka Dončić – One of the top three players in the world. Unstoppable in pick-and-roll. Playoff proven. No explanation needed.

SG: Kyrie Irving – Love him or hate him, Kyrie’s clutch gene and offensive wizardry make him a nightmare in a playoff setting.

SF: Cooper Flagg – The rookie sensation. Two-way phenom. The glue guy with superstar potential.

PF: P.J. Washington (or equivalent stretch four) – A capable shooter and defender who keeps the floor spaced and the paint open for Luka drives.

C: Dereck Lively II – Defensive anchor. Elite lob finisher. Already one of the most promising young centers in the league.

This isn’t just a team built to win. It’s a team built to dominate. They’ve got firepower, they’ve got balance, they’ve got youth, and they’ve got veteran savvy. And perhaps most importantly, they have the right mix of personalities. Luka is the alpha, but not in a way that stifles others. Kyrie is the wildcard, but when focused, he’s one of the best closers in basketball. Flagg, for all his attention and accolades, is humble. He’s about winning. He’s about doing the little things. That kind of mindset is infectious. It spreads through the locker room. It builds culture.

It’s worth noting that adding Flagg doesn’t just help Dallas next year. It changes the long-term trajectory of the franchise. Luka is still just 26 years old. Flagg would enter the league at 19. That’s a seven-year window where these two could grow together, creating one of the most formidable duos we’ve seen in decades. Add in Lively’s development and the Mavericks’ ability to add role players through trades or mid-level signings, and you’re looking at a dynasty blueprint.

Of course, for this dream scenario to happen, a few things need to fall into place. Dallas would have to acquire a high draft pick to select Flagg, whether through a trade or a miraculous lottery jump. But this is the NBA. We’ve seen stranger things. What matters most is that if the Mavericks get their hands on Cooper Flagg, the rest of the league is on notice.

No, this team isn’t unbeatable on any given night. No NBA team is. But in a seven-game series, with Luka orchestrating, Kyrie closing, Flagg disrupting everything, and Lively cleaning the glass? Four wins against that group is going to feel like a mountain few teams can climb.

So go ahead—circle the dates. Place your bets. Make your predictions. Because if Cooper Flagg ends up in Dallas, there’s only one prediction that makes sense: NBA champions.