The Luka era may be over in Dallas… but Cooper Flagg isn’t here to replace him. He’s here to start something entirely different.

The Luka Doncic era in Dallas has been nothing short of revolutionary. From the moment Luka stepped onto the NBA stage, he changed the trajectory of the Dallas Mavericks franchise, transforming the team from an afterthought into perennial playoff contenders. His dazzling skills, maturity beyond his years, and ability to take over games made him a superstar almost overnight. But as much as Luka’s greatness has defined the Mavs for the past few years, the winds of change are blowing through the franchise, and the potential arrival of high school phenom Cooper Flagg is signaling the start of something entirely new.
Flagg, a 17-year-old basketball prodigy, is being heralded as one of the most complete young talents to come along in years. The comparisons to past legends like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and even Giannis Antetokounmpo have already begun to surface, as Flagg’s combination of size, skill, and basketball IQ is already more refined than most of his peers. He’s the type of player who makes scouts and analysts excited about the future of the sport. But here’s the thing: Cooper Flagg is not coming to Dallas to replace Luka Doncic. He’s here to build something unique and different, something that’s not just about carrying the torch of an individual star but about creating a new identity for the Mavericks—one that’s dynamic, multifaceted, and all about teamwork.
This isn’t the Luka era’s successor. It’s a new chapter. And Cooper Flagg, as he prepares for his eventual entry into the NBA, could be the catalyst for this transformation.
Let’s first take a step back and appreciate just how much Luka has done for the Mavericks since arriving in 2018. He’s single-handedly turned the franchise into a global sensation, attracting a fanbase that stretches far beyond the U.S. Luka’s combination of scoring, playmaking, and leadership has been the bedrock of everything the Mavs have tried to build around him. Whether it’s his step-back threes, pinpoint passes, or ability to dominate in the clutch, Luka has set the bar for what it means to be a superstar in today’s NBA.
But as great as Luka is, the Mavs have struggled to build a sustainable roster around him. Despite a few playoff appearances and a remarkable run to the Western Conference Finals in 2022, the team has often seemed one piece away from truly competing for a championship. There have been glaring issues with defense, lack of consistency, and a supporting cast that’s never seemed to completely gel with Luka’s style of play. More than ever, the Mavs need something different—a new direction that’s not just dependent on one player’s heroics.
This brings us to Cooper Flagg, a player who represents a different type of future for Dallas. While Luka is undoubtedly a once-in-a-generation talent, Flagg’s arrival could signal the start of a new era that’s more balanced and versatile—a team not solely reliant on one individual, but one that builds on the collective strength of its players.
Cooper Flagg isn’t just another highly touted high school prospect. Sure, his physical tools are eye-popping—standing at 6’8” with an incredible wingspan and a combination of athleticism and skill that makes him a nightmare for opponents. But what truly sets Flagg apart is his basketball IQ, his work ethic, and the way he impacts the game on both ends of the floor.
Where Luka is a master of creating offense—often through isolation plays, step-back threes, and jaw-dropping passes—Flagg offers something completely different: he’s a complete two-way player, someone who can change the game without the ball in his hands. Flagg’s defense is what first made him stand out, with his ability to guard multiple positions, protect the rim, and disrupt passing lanes. But offensively, Flagg has the potential to develop into a player who can score in a variety of ways, from cutting to the basket to stretching the floor with his developing shooting stroke.
What makes Flagg particularly intriguing for a team like the Mavs is that he doesn’t necessarily need the ball in his hands to be effective. This creates a natural synergy with Luka, who thrives with the ball in his hands but has sometimes struggled when the offense stagnates. Flagg could be the perfect complementary piece, a player who can contribute without dominating the ball, and yet still have a massive impact on the game.
Unlike the current era with Luka, where the team often looks to one player to create everything, Flagg could be part of a more fluid, balanced offensive system. In this sense, Flagg isn’t here to replace Luka—he’s here to create a more dynamic, multi-faceted Mavericks team, one that can thrive through ball movement, defensive tenacity, and positional versatility.
When Luka entered the NBA, he immediately became the focal point of everything the Mavericks did. All their offensive schemes were centered around Luka’s ability to create shots for himself and others. But as teams have adjusted and defenses have learned how to slow Luka down, the Mavs have often struggled to find a consistent second option.
Cooper Flagg’s presence could change that dynamic entirely. If the Mavs successfully build their team around Flagg’s multifaceted game, it would shift the entire team’s philosophy. Rather than relying on Luka to do everything, the Mavericks could embrace a team-first approach—one where each player has the freedom to create for themselves and others, but with an emphasis on a more holistic, collective approach to winning games.
Flagg could be the perfect building block for a roster that isn’t just focused on one individual. He brings with him the potential for both scoring and defense in a way that few players can. A player who can guard multiple positions, create transition opportunities, and contribute in every facet of the game is the type of piece that allows a team to function at a higher level.
In the NBA today, it’s no longer enough to have just one superstar—teams like the Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets, and Golden State Warriors have demonstrated that a deep, balanced roster with multiple contributors can be more dangerous than a team built around a single player. The Mavs need to evolve in this way, and Cooper Flagg could be the first step in that evolution.
While Luka Doncic will always be the centerpiece of the Dallas Mavericks, the potential pairing between him and Cooper Flagg is one that could create a rare, complementary duo. Luka is a ball-dominant player who thrives on creating opportunities for himself and his teammates, but he’s sometimes been criticized for a lack of defensive consistency and for being the focal point of a one-dimensional offense. Flagg, on the other hand, is a two-way player who can impact the game in ways that Luka cannot, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
Imagine a scenario where Flagg becomes the defensive anchor of the Mavericks, allowing Luka to focus more on what he does best: offense. With Flagg patrolling the paint and locking down opposing players, Luka could expend less energy on defense, allowing him to focus on creating offensive opportunities for the team. On the other hand, Flagg could evolve into a reliable secondary scoring option, someone who can finish plays, catch and shoot, or make plays in transition.
This is the type of pairing that can elevate the Mavericks to another level—where Luka’s brilliance is complemented by Flagg’s all-around game, making it harder for opposing teams to focus all their attention on one player. With the right pieces around them, this duo could become one of the most dynamic in the league.
Cooper Flagg’s arrival to the NBA will likely come with sky-high expectations, but the pressure will be different than the one Luka faced when he first arrived in Dallas. Rather than a situation where all eyes are on one player to carry the team, Flagg’s role could be that of a complementary star who helps elevate the entire team. This is the kind of growth that the Mavericks need—one that isn’t dependent on Luka doing everything by himself but on the team coming together and building something new.
While Luka’s brilliance has brought the Mavs back into the NBA spotlight, the addition of Cooper Flagg could signal a shift towards something more sustainable. It’s not about replacing the era of Luka Doncic—it’s about beginning a new chapter, one where the Mavs build a more well-rounded and versatile team that’s capable of competing at the highest level. Flagg is not here to be Luka’s replacement. He’s here to start something entirely different: a team-first identity that brings together multiple stars with complementary skills.
With the right supporting cast, the Mavericks can form a new dynasty—not one based solely on the talents of Luka Doncic, but one that leverages the strengths of both Luka and Cooper Flagg, blending individual brilliance with a collective approach to team basketball. The Mavs are on the verge of a transformation, and Cooper Flagg could be the cornerstone that ushers in a new era in Dallas—one that’s dynamic, balanced, and built for the future.