The Dallas Mavericks rank as one of the most intriguing teams ahead of next season thanks to a unique mix of talent. They have the remnants of a team that went to the NBA Finals as well as newer additions such as star Anthony Davis and Max Christie, who were acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers in the Luka Dončić swap.
Then, they landed the first overall pick and selected Cooper Flagg, giving them an elite prospect to build around. Even so, he will have to make some adjustments to his game to fit their roster.
Flagg has never played as a wing full-time but may be tasked with doing so next season, marking a dramatic positional shift. That would be done to accommodate the Mavericks' stacked front line that includes superstar Anthony Davis and young big man Derek Lively II.
On one hand, it would force Flagg to play much more on the perimeter, something that may be uncomfortable for him. On the other hand, it would give the Mavericks a massive front court. However, having the ball more in Flagg's hands is precisely the point.
Coach Jason Kidd has a history of forcing top prospects to play out of position, taking them out of their comfort zone to accelerate their development.
The Mavericks will take Cooper Flagg out of his comfort zone
Kidd turned Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo into a skilled playmaker, something the rest of the league should hate Kidd forever for doing.
Having Flagg play more with the ball could have a similar effect, throwing him into the NBA fire. That could make for an unsightly first few months with him occasionally struggling with turnovers. However, the risk could far outweigh the reward.
It may not be a full-time position change for Flagg, with him likely reverting back to power forward at some point. But he would still hopefully retain the skills he learned playing on the perimeter.
Having an elite two-way power forward who can create for himself and others while playing away from the basket is far more valuable. So is his being able to play both forward spots and occasionally play alongside two-big men.
Overall, Flagg will likely have to alter his game during his rookie season. That may be a rare ask for a number one overall pick. But if Flagg can thrive playing on the wing with the ball in his hands, it could be a game-changer for both him and the Mavericks.