This week marks the time the Mavericks move forward, and the storm clouds clear for fans. While the move to fire Nico Harrison doesn’t solve or restore anything, it matters to the health of the franchise in the short and long term, and lifts the collective mental health of those who follow them.
This week’s Power Rankings Watch is a stark reminder that the product on the floor hasn’t changed. Not yet, at least. But it does alleviate any pressure that Harrison’s moves needed to prove a contending team. Now every move is about building for the future, building around Cooper Flagg.
Needless to say, this isn’t the situation that Cooper Flagg envisioned for the start of his NBA career, as the chaos that led to GM Nico Harrison’s firing has weighed on everyone within the franchise. But there is a lot to like about the 18-year-old rookie’s promise, and his recent production has provided plenty of hints at his promise. Flagg has upped his box scores since coach Jason Kidd pulled the plug on the experiment of having him start at point guard, averaging 17.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks in the past four games. “He’s going to be an extraordinary player in this league, and he’s going to continue to do great things,” Mavs forward P.J. Washington said after Flagg’s career-best 26-point performance, highlighted by a clutch finish over Giannis Antetokounmpo, in Monday’s loss to the Bucks. — MacMahon
Say something nice: The Mavericks have a top-five defense!
This was the vision all along, right?! Perhaps teams aren’t scoring much on the Mavericks because they don’t need to; the Mavericks average 106.5 points per game. But the saying wasn’t defense wins games, now was it?
Well, it finally happened. After another home game packed with “Fire Nico!” chants, the Dallas Mavericks did it.
Nico Harrison is gone, and it’s time to fully lean into a rebuild around Cooper Flagg. Winning the lottery was a gift from the basketball gods, and it gives the Mavericks a chance at a future they might not otherwise have.
A post-prime Anthony Davis, who’s extension-eligible next summer, makes little to no sense next to Flagg. Even Kyrie Irving, who’s still out with a torn ACL, should probably have his trade value explored.
Dallas needs to add a high-level young talent to Flagg. Another top draft pick is the best way to get that, and 2026 is the last year when the Mavs control their own first-rounder till 2031.
It’s time to move Davis and possibly Irving (who can’t really impact a tank one way or another). It’s time to explore the trade value of just about every other veteran on the roster.
Dallas needs a core around Flagg that makes sense, and it has an immediate opportunity to chase it.