The Dallas Mavericks have made several controversial decisions, especially around their sports project. Once viewed as a promising rebuild, the team quickly became one of the most criticized in the league. That changed after they got the option to pick Cooper Flagg in the 2025 NBA Draft, which brought new life to their plans. Since then, the project has gained traction again. However, a former teammate of Stephen Curry doubts that general manager Nico Harrison will keep Flagg for a surprising reason.
“Nico’s already on record saying it’s a 3-year window for winning a championship…Cooper Flagg doesn’t fit that window, KD (Kevin Durant) does,” former Golden State Warriors player DeMarcus Cousins said on Run It Back Show.
Although adding Kevin Durant could strengthen the roster, giving up the chance to draft and develop Cooper Flagg may spark again controversy. That is a risk Nico Harrison may not afford right now. Fans have rallied around the idea of landing the Duke phenom. Walking that back could seriously damage their trust.
Besides, several NBA insiders believe the Mavericks will still draft and keep Flagg. They argue that Harrison already built a veteran roster. So, adding a young talent like Cooper provides long-term balance. It also helps sustain success through future seasons. Moreover, head coach Jason Kidd praised Flagg on the Dallas Mavericks Podcast. He said he “loves the kid from Duke,” which strengthens the case for keeping him.
Duke star Cooper Flagg and NBA veteran Kevin Durant
Head coach Jason Kidd spoke on The Dan Patrick Show and made one thing clear. The pressure would not fall on Cooper Flagg in case he arrives. The team already has veterans who carry that responsibility. Instead, Kidd said Flagg would benefit more by developing with the Mavericks as he could learn directly from the experienced players on the roster.
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Jason Kidd addresses Luka Doncic’s exit with special request to Mavs fans amid Cooper Flagg expectations
Unlike this season, Jason Kidd will enter the 2025-26 campaign with a clear chance to shape the roster from the start. During this 2024-25 season, he had to adjust on the fly after unexpected changes such as Luka Doncic’s departure. That situation forced Kidd to respond quickly, without the benefit of long-term planning.
Now, with more experience with this roster, he can focus on building consistency. As a result, he aims to restore the balance that once made the team a top contender in the conference.
