The Potential New Look Lakers Versus Cooper Flagg and Dallas in the Western Conference Finals Will Be an All-Out War

The NBA world has seen its share of iconic Western Conference battles—Magic vs. Stockton, Kobe vs. Duncan, Steph vs. Harden. But if the stars align in 2026, fans could be treated to a seismic clash of eras: the potential New Look Los Angeles Lakers, led by Anthony Davis and a reshaped supporting cast, taking on Cooper Flagg and the ascending Dallas Mavericks. And if it happens, it’s going to be an all-out war.

There’s nothing soft about what’s brewing in the West. The Mavericks, now a full year into their post-Luka Doncic reality, are no longer a team searching for direction—they’ve found it in Flagg. The 6-foot-9 rookie phenom has not only lived up to the hype but is already flirting with becoming the face of the league. His presence has transformed Dallas into a dynamic, two-way machine that thrives on energy, length, and surgical execution.

Meanwhile, the Lakers have retooled. With LeBron James finally stepping away, either via retirement or free agency, and the franchise no longer hedging between timelines, the front office has built a more balanced unit around Anthony Davis. They’ve added depth, toughness, and perhaps most importantly—spacing. Gone are the days of awkward fits and ball-dominant redundancy. These Lakers play defense, share the ball, and punish mistakes.

If the two squads meet, expect intensity from the jump.

Start with the Flagg factor. Rarely does a teenager enter the league with such poise, but Flagg plays like a ten-year vet. He guards all five positions, makes the right read nearly every time down the floor, and has developed a taste for big moments. His connection with Dean Wade—a veteran sniper who has proven invaluable spacing the floor—is one of the league’s most quietly lethal duos. Add in a bruising frontcourt presence in Dereck Lively II and a steadying force like Jalen Brunson (acquired in a blockbuster trade), and Dallas is as balanced as any team in the West.

The Lakers, however, are no soft target. Anthony Davis is still a game-wrecker on both ends of the court. Freed from the obligation of sharing the spotlight with LeBron, Davis has leaned fully into being the team’s engine. Averaging career highs in blocks and rebounds while shooting over 38% from three, he’s reestablished himself as an MVP-caliber player. Next to him is a newly acquired shot-maker, a fiery two-guard who gives the Lakers the edge they’ve lacked in recent playoff runs. Throw in steady play from a now-seasoned Max Christie and a second-year breakout from Dalton Knecht, and the Lakers are deep, disciplined, and deadly.

But what makes this potential showdown even more compelling is the contrast in style and identity.

Dallas under Flagg is electric and methodical. Every cut has a purpose. Every possession ends with a clean look. Jason Kidd, once questioned for his rotations, now operates with calm command, letting Flagg orchestrate and his veterans support. The Mavericks are patient. They don’t beat themselves.

The Lakers are different. They hit you like a storm. They thrive in chaos—runouts, putbacks, loose ball scrums. Their offense has more structure than in years past, but they still rely heavily on their stars to create in broken plays. And defensively, they smother. Davis can still erase mistakes at the rim, and their perimeter defenders—especially newly acquired wings with length and grit—turn passing lanes into traps.

The coaching chess match will be fascinating. Darvin Ham, once viewed as a placeholder, has evolved. He’s shown a willingness to adapt, a maturity in timeout usage, and a trust in his bench. If Davis gets doubled, the Lakers can now punish you from multiple spots. And in transition, they’re lethal. But Kidd’s Mavericks have the legs and discipline to keep up—and the length to challenge every drive.

But beyond the tactics and talent, this series would offer something more: narrative. It’s a pivot point in the NBA timeline.

For Dallas, it’s about the future. Cooper Flagg isn’t here to fill Luka Doncic’s shoes—he’s here to create his own legacy. The Mavericks’ front office made bold moves, and Flagg has justified them with every soaring block and clutch three. A trip to the Finals would validate the new era and solidify Flagg’s superstardom.

For the Lakers, it’s about legacy. Davis has waited patiently for his team. He’s endured whispers about durability, questions about leadership, and the inevitable LeBron comparisons. This playoff run is his chance to silence all of it. And for the franchise, still hunting for its 18th banner, another Finals appearance would prove they didn’t just ride LeBron’s coattails—they built something sustainable.

X-factors will abound. For Dallas, the three-point shooting has to hold. Flagg will draw Davis, and that battle could neutralize both stars to a degree. That means players like Tim Hardaway Jr., Wade, and the bench unit must deliver. On the Lakers’ side, it comes down to turnovers and tempo. When they control the pace, they can smother even the most precise offensive machines. When they don’t, they fall into bad habits—and Dallas will capitalize.

There’s also the intangible: pressure. Dallas, while young, doesn’t play scared. Flagg has already proven he’s not just here to be good—he’s here to win. But no team carries the pressure of expectation like the Lakers. A first-year post-LeBron playoff run ending in anything short of the Finals would sting. The fanbase, the media, and the front office all understand the stakes.

And what if the series goes seven? Imagine Game 7 at Crypto.com Arena. The Lakers, feeding off history and pride, trying to hold off the revolution. The Mavericks, led by a 19-year-old prodigy with no fear, trying to usher in a new age. That’s not basketball—that’s mythology in motion.

This isn’t just another Western Conference Finals. This would be the next great chapter in the evolving story of the NBA. The Lakers, trying to maintain control of a conference they once ruled. The Mavericks, trying to stake their claim with a new identity built on youth, versatility, and belief.

And when the ball tips, it won’t matter who has the better resume or who’s favored in Vegas. What will matter is who can control the chaos. Who can impose their will over a best-of-seven war. Because that’s exactly what this would be—a war.

It may not happen. Injuries, upsets, and the unpredictable nature of the NBA could rewrite the script. But if it does? If the Mavericks and Lakers meet with the Finals on the line?

We won’t just be watching a basketball series.

We’ll be watching the future fight the past in real time. And nothing could be more electric.