Insider raves about Mavericks' front line after drafting Cooper Flagg

Flagg enters the league as the second-youngest No. 1 draft pick in history — eight days younger than four-time champion LeBron James when he was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003 — and as the National Player of the Year after averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.4 steals at Duke.

The Mavericks acquired Davis in the Doncic trade. Although he only played nine games due to a left adductor strain, he still averaged 20 points and 10.1 rebounds per game.

Center Dereck Lively II battled a stress fracture in his right ankle, but was reliable from the floor when he did play, shooting an impressive 70.2 percent from the field. Fresh off his contract extension that Charania alluded to, Gafford was also a reliable option underneath during the 2024-25 season, shooting 70.2 percent.

Dallas' front line is talented. The key to its success going forward, though, depends on the health of one of its other key players, according to Charania.

"The biggest key, though, of this season is going to be Kyrie Irving, the return to health that he's gonna have," Charania said. "If he was healthy right now, we'd probably be talking about this team with the Thunder competing for a championship 1,000 percent."

The point guard position is the only question mark on this team, with veteran Klay Thompson slotting at shooting guard. Although he did not have the same production the league is accustomed to this past season, Thompson averaged 14 points and shot a solid 39.1 percent from three-point range.

The Mavericks will certainly take that, especially if the rest of the roster is healthy. As of now, Dallas has the 14th-best odds (+3300) to win the 2025-26 NBA title, according to FanDuel.

If Irving can return to full strength and the young talent on the stacked front line can deliver on their end, the Mavericks could have a realistic shot of going from the No. 1 pick in the draft to being in title contention.