Mavs Putting NBA On Notice in Free Agency

With the addition of prized No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, a skilled and athletic 6-9 forward from Duke, the Dallas Mavericks add another piece to what can be considered the best front court in the NBA.

Having locked up center Daniel Gafford this offseason, Flagg joins the likes of Gafford, Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, Dwight Powell and even P.J. Washington to form a dynamic front court that can compete at a high level on both ends of the floor.

Flagg profiles as a plug-and-play small forward from Day 1, but with some added strength and familiarity with the NBA game on the inside, he could play the power forward spot with the ability to stretch the perimeter and defend on all three levels. Washington's shooting ability and toughness also allow him to play the four in small-ball lineups.

This depth and big-man accumulation has put the league on notice as free agency has gotten under way.

Teams across the Western Conference are using free agency to bolster their interior presence, in what can only be explained as a defense mechanism to prepare for the Mavs' size.

The biggest buyers for the front court appear to be the cross-state rival Houston Rockets, who traded for 7-0 superstar Kevin Durant, re-signed Steven Adams and added Clint Capela this offseason.

Mavericks reporter Kevin Gray of DLLS Sports indicates that league sources say "West teams are adding size in reaction to the Mavericks size and front court depth and are gearing up for match ups against the Mavs and not OKC."

The other in-state rival San Antonio Spurs signed Luke Kornet. Jonus Valanciunas is headed to the Denver Nuggets. The Los Angeles Clippers signed veteran big man Brook Lopez. The Phoenix Suns received Mark Williams in a trade. The Utah Jazz traded for Jusuf Nurkic. Southwest division foe New Orleans Pelicans also added Kevon Looney from the Golden State Warriors.

It's a big-man gold rush in the West.

The newly-crowned NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder were a dangerous team on the perimeter defensively, and Mavs general manager Nico Harrison believes Dallas can strike that level of fear in opponents on the inside ... which could similarly lead to a championship.

It's too soon to be talking about a title run after the debacle that was last season, but the Mavericks will enter 2025-26 with something the franchise has rarely - if ever - had: depth, productivity and versatility down low.

The league has taken notice, too.