Cooper Flagg is set to be paired with an infamous San Antonio Spurs veteran guard. The Dallas Mavericks appear committed to building around Cooper Flagg after his stellar rookie season.
What happened?
The Mavericks are considering pairing Cooper Flagg with a veteran point guard. CBS Sports' Sam Quinn believes this move could pay dividends for the Mavericks in the long run.
Why it matters for Cooper Flagg
Cooper Flagg looked like a generational young star in Year 1, showcasing his fluidity in the open floor. He averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals in 70 games.
What comes next?
The Spurs are reportedly interested in cutting ties with the two-time All-Star, but his $229 maximum contract will make it challenging for San Antonio to center a trade around him.
The Mavericks already have Kyrie Irving, who is 34 and coming off a torn ACL. If they'd rather put a younger, expensive guard next to the 19-year-old Cooper Flagg, Fox is an option.
If Irving is willing to come off the bench, he'd be a spectacular fit on a shorter contract that expires before other players get paid.
In the more likely event that he wants to start, this could be a three-way deal in which the team acquiring Irving sends assets to San Antonio.
Fox's NBA career took a turn for the worse in the NBA Finals, as his inability to make a high-IQ decision at the end of Game 4 helped the New York Knicks break a 53-year championship drought.
The Spurs are reportedly interested in cutting ties with Fox, but his contract will make it challenging to trade him.
Perhaps taking his talents to a rebuilding franchise not expected to compete for titles in the immediate future will benefit Fox going forward.
The Mavericks are making the right move by building around Cooper Flagg, and pairing him with a veteran point guard could be a great decision.
Cooper Flagg's stellar rookie season has made him a key player for the Mavericks, and his performance will be crucial in the team's future success.
The Mavericks' decision to pair Cooper Flagg with a veteran point guard will be an interesting move to watch, and it could have a significant impact on the team's performance.