Surprise NBA Bottom-Feeder Emerges as Dark Horse Trade Partner for Mavericks in Pursuit of Duke Sensation Cooper Flagg
The NBA Draft is always a whirlwind of speculation, smokescreens, and seismic surprises, but this year’s intrigue may be centered around one of college basketball’s most electrifying prospects—Duke’s Cooper Flagg. The 6-foot-9 forward has been hailed as a generational talent, a defensive savant with high-level offensive tools and an undeniable motor. As expected, he’s drawn the attention of teams near the top of the draft. But what’s raising eyebrows now is the emergence of a surprise NBA bottom-feeder as a potential trade partner with the Dallas Mavericks, a team sitting just outside the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes. According to sources close to league front offices, this bottom-dwelling franchise has not ruled out a bold move to send shockwaves through the draft by facilitating a trade with Dallas that could see Flagg donning a different jersey than anticipated.
While the Mavericks’ pick is unlikely to land them Flagg outright—assuming he goes No. 1 or No. 2 overall—they remain one of the most aggressive and unpredictable teams in the league. With Luka Dončić in his prime and Kyrie Irving still under contract, Dallas is in win-now mode but also knows it must build for the future to stay competitive long-term. Flagg presents a rare blend of current impact and future superstardom. If the Mavs were to orchestrate a deal involving veteran assets or future first-round picks, they could position themselves to either select Flagg directly or work with a lottery team in need of depth and proven talent. Enter the mystery team—a franchise that has consistently lingered at the bottom of the standings but could now become a power broker in one of the most talent-rich drafts in years.
Speculation around which team might play the role of surprise trade partner has included franchises like the Charlotte Hornets, Detroit Pistons, Portland Trail Blazers, and Washington Wizards—all teams that possess high picks and have been mired in rebuilding cycles. What makes this development more intriguing is that several of these organizations are at different stages of development. Some are further along, like Detroit, with young cornerstones like Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren, while others like Washington are just beginning their post-star era. Yet all would theoretically be interested in acquiring a player like Flagg, or in flipping that asset in a multi-team deal to restock their roster with players who can contribute immediately.
What sets Flagg apart is that he isn’t just a top prospect—he’s being discussed as a future franchise cornerstone with the two-way skills and mental makeup reminiscent of some of the game’s all-time greats. His shot-blocking instincts, court vision, and offensive versatility make him a seamless fit in nearly any system. Scouts have praised his maturity, work ethic, and commitment to improving every facet of his game. He’s drawn comparisons to players like Andrei Kirilenko for his defensive prowess and even a young Jayson Tatum for his offensive potential. He isn’t just a player you build around; he’s one you build an identity around.
That’s where the intrigue with Dallas becomes particularly compelling. The Mavericks have long struggled to surround Dončić with the right mix of talent. Irving’s presence helps lighten the offensive burden, but the team lacks elite wing defenders and players who can impact the game without needing the ball. Flagg’s game complements Dončić perfectly—he doesn’t need high usage to affect outcomes, yet he can score, facilitate, and anchor a defense. If Dallas believes Flagg can be the missing piece in a title puzzle, they may be willing to gamble on a massive trade, even if it means parting with key contributors or future flexibility.
On the other side of the table, a team sitting at or near the top of the draft might be motivated by a different set of priorities. Perhaps they aren’t convinced Flagg is the right fit for their system or timeline. Maybe they’re enticed by the idea of acquiring an All-Star-caliber player or multiple first-round picks in exchange for a draft slot. Dallas offers a unique proposition in this regard. With Dončić under contract through at least 2027 and the allure of a competitive roster, future picks from the Mavericks could be highly valuable, especially if things go sideways. Additionally, Dallas has several young players with upside and trade appeal, such as Dereck Lively II, Josh Green, or Jaden Hardy.
One proposed scenario involves Dallas packaging a mix of players, picks, and financial flexibility to move into the top two and select Flagg. If the Mavs are confident in Flagg’s potential and believe he can coexist with Dončić and Irving, the long-term rewards could outweigh the short-term risks. It would be a bold stroke in an era where few teams swing for the fences unless they’re desperate. But desperation may not be the driving factor here. It could be vision.
There’s also the possibility of a multi-team deal where Dallas doesn’t acquire Flagg directly but works in tandem with the surprise bottom-feeder to orchestrate a three-way trade. In this structure, the bottom-feeder would trade down or out of the Flagg pick, get veteran help and assets from Dallas, and allow a third team to step in and acquire the Duke star. This type of maneuvering is complex but not unprecedented in modern draft history. The 2018 draft-night swap that landed Luka Dončić in Dallas after a trade with Atlanta is a perfect reminder that bold moves can pay off handsomely.
The identity of the “surprise bottom-feeder” remains a mystery for now, but league insiders say the team is not one typically mentioned in trade-up conversations. That rules out usual suspects like San Antonio or Orlando, who already have their foundational players in Victor Wembanyama and Paolo Banchero, respectively. Instead, attention has shifted to less-discussed franchises with the motivation and flexibility to pull off a shock move. These include teams like Utah, which holds multiple first-round picks and could look to accelerate their rebuild by dealing into a Flagg-level prospect, or the Wizards, who are desperate for a face of the franchise following the Bradley Beal era.
One executive noted that “there’s at least one team in the top five that’s open to moving the pick, even if Flagg is on the board.” That openness presents a tantalizing opportunity for Dallas, who would likely not get within striking distance of Flagg without serious maneuvering. For the bottom-feeder in question, the deal might be less about passing on Flagg and more about seizing control of the draft board and flipping that leverage into long-term value. If they believe they can still get an elite player a few spots down while adding extra assets, they may view it as a win-win.
Still, Flagg’s rising stock complicates matters. Since the conclusion of Duke’s season, his draft interviews and workouts have reportedly been “off the charts,” with one scout calling him “the most complete 18-year-old I’ve ever evaluated.” That kind of praise doesn’t just push a player up boards—it locks him in. So, while the Mavs and the mystery team may be game to make something happen, they’ll need to act fast and with conviction if they want to get ahead of the inevitable bidding war.
For now, it’s all hypothetical. No formal offers have been reported, and the draft is still weeks away. But the buzz is real. League insiders continue to float the idea that Dallas is not content to stand pat and wait for whoever falls to them. They want a difference-maker. Cooper Flagg might just be that—and more. And if the right partner is willing to do business, we could be looking at one of the most dramatic draft-day moves in recent memory.
The question is no longer if teams are interested in Flagg. That much is obvious. The question is which franchise is willing to risk their comfort zone to get him—and whether Dallas can convince the surprise bottom-feeder that the future is worth selling now. In the high-stakes game of NBA chess, the next move may belong not to the usual power players, but to the team no one saw coming.
