Mavericks fans won’t like this latest Cooper Flagg projection.
Last season, Dallas shocked the basketball world when they traded away their franchise superstar, Luka Dončić, to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick. The move stunned both fans and analysts, many of whom assumed Dončić would follow a Dirk Nowitzki-like path and spend his career in Dallas. But general manager Nico Harrison had a different vision — building a defense-first roster anchored by Davis.
That blockbuster deal reinforced the idea that loyalty is fleeting in the NBA. Just as Kevin Durant’s 2016 departure from the Oklahoma City Thunder for Golden State signaled that nothing lasts forever, the Dončić trade reminded everyone that even cornerstone players aren’t untouchable. Now, questions are swirling: could the same fate await top rookie Cooper Flagg?
Dallas selected Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick, envisioning him as the future face of the franchise. But how long will he actually stay? ESPN recently surveyed reporters, editors, and analysts on how many teams Flagg would play for in his career. The majority predicted two or more — 53.8% said two teams, 34.6% said three, and only 3.8% believed he would spend his entire career with one team.
The skepticism stems largely from the Dončić trade, which rattled faith in the Mavericks’ long-term commitment to their stars. While Flagg could also leave through free agency, keeping him might be the organization’s best chance to repair its image and anchor its future. Trading Dončić left a bitter aftertaste, and losing Flagg would only deepen that wound.
Holding onto Flagg long-term could help Dallas break the cycle of player turnover that defines modern basketball. It would also place him in rare company — stars like Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokić are among the few 21st-century scoring leaders who’ve stayed loyal to one team. Even so, ESPN points out that no player’s future is guaranteed.
Still, the Mavericks have a chance to prove the doubters wrong. If they make Flagg the centerpiece of their plans and learn from past mistakes, they could finally reverse the perception that their stars are destined to move on. Whether Flagg’s career remains tied to Dallas, however, is a question that only time will answer.
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