DHJ Quick Take: Building the Flagg Era
- The Ujiri Vision: This proposal aligns perfectly with Masai Ujiri’s historical blueprint. By moving a veteran star like Kyrie Irving for a package centered on an unprotected 2029 first-round pick and a high-upside prospect like Joan Beringer, the Mavericks are finally replenishing the asset chest that was depleted during the Luka Dončić era.
- Asset Accumulation: The unprotected 2029 pick (via the Clippers) is the crown jewel here. For a team that is currently “light on assets,” these long-term picks are the essential currency needed to eventually trade for a secondary co-star to pair with Cooper Flagg once he enters his prime.
- Maintaining Competitiveness: Unlike a traditional “fire sale,” this deal brings back high-floor veterans in Bogdan Bogdanović and Derrick Jones Jr. This ensures the 2026-27 season isn’t a total wash, providing Flagg with professional floor-spacers and defenders who can help him transition into a primary offensive engine.
The Dallas Mavericks have an exciting future. In terms of odds, that should not be the case. The Mavericks made a puzzling decision to move Luka Dončić last year. The return was widely panned. Dallas had moved their best player, and they were light on the assets they’d need to rebuild.
But fate is a fickle mistress.
You know the rest. The Mavericks made a tremendous leap in the 2025 NBA Draft. They landed a franchise-altering talent in Cooper Flagg. An NBA team needs a lot to go right to succeed, but acquiring a franchise player is the first and most important step.
Now, it’s a matter of building around Flagg. The Mavs are still light on assets, so making a win-now push this summer would be premature. It could be more sensible to trade star guard Kyrie Irving to retool and acquire assets.
That’s exactly what Bleacher Report‘s Greg Swartz would have the team do.
Intriguing Trade Proposal Pitched for Mavericks
Let’s Look at the Proposal
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive:
- Kyrie Irving
- Brook Lopez
Los Angeles Clippers Receive:
Dallas Mavericks Receive:
- Derrick Jones Jr.
- Bogdan Bogdanovic
- Joan Beringer
- 2029 first-round pick (unprotected from Clippers via Indiana Pacers)
Very, very interesting.
We’ll largely dissect this from a Mavericks’ perspective. It is worth wondering whether the Wolves would go for the deal. They’ve been successful in recent years, and moving Gobert could tank their defense. Beringer has been intriguing as well. That said, they do need better point guard play…
I digress.
From a Mavericks perspective, this is a fantastic deal. It allows the Mavericks to pick up a valuable asset without entirely tanking their 2026-27 season. They’re adding depth. Jones Jr. is a solid three-and-D wing, and Bogdanovic can still create offense.
Don’t sleep on Beringer, either. He’s a 6’10” combo big with impressive mobility for his size. His offense is a work in progress, but he has the potential to be an NBA starter.
Yet, the pick is the most important thing here. If Dallas wants to eventually trade for Cooper Flagg’s co-star, they’ll need more draft capital. If they intend to build through the draft, well, this is a draft pick. No matter what their future plans are, acquiring an unprotected first when they’re light on picks is smart.
Irving is a prodigious talent. Pairing him with Doncic made sense. Now that Doncic is gone, the Mavericks should be looking to the future. New team president Masai Ujiri should be aiming to build a team that can compete in a few years. This trade helps him accomplish that goal while still putting a reasonable product on the floor in 2026-27.
That makes the team’s future even more exciting.
Grade: A+
More Mavericks Coverage on Dallas Hoops Journal
- ‘I Hope To Bring Calm’: Masai Ujiri Lays Out Vision For Cooper Flagg’s Dallas Mavericks
- ‘It Means Everything’: Dallas Mavericks Star Cooper Flagg Reflects On NBA Rookie Of The Year Award
- Cooper Flagg Wins NBA Rookie Of The Year, Joins Jason Kidd And Luka Dončić In Dallas Mavericks History
- ‘That’s What Paul Silas Did For Me’: LeBron James Draws Parallel Between His Rookie Role And Cooper Flagg’s
- ‘He Will Be Unstoppable’: Cooper Flagg’s Three-Point Statement Gives Blueprint For NBA Dominance
- ‘They’re Very Similar’: Jason Kidd Breaks Down The LeBron James Parallels For Cooper Flagg
