As soon as the Dallas Mavericks won the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery, Cooper Flagg became the focal point of the franchise. After giving up Luka Doncic for a win-now core of Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and Anthony Davis, the Mavericks did a total 180, committing to a youth movement and rebuild.

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Of course, the Mavericks had ample veteran talent and could have made a playoff run while also developing Flagg. However, injuries and general lackluster play caught up to them. With Irving out for at least another month and Davis' season possibly over thanks to a hand injury, the Mavericks are in a full-on youth movement.

Flagg, of course, is at the center of it, as is whoever they draft with their pick in 2026. While some fans are attached to veterans like Irving, the front office will have to make future-driven choices.

Here is how everyone on the roster stacks up.

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There are only two players on the Mavericks who should not even be considered in a trade. Flagg, of course, is right up there with Victor Wembanyama as the most untradable player in the league. Now that Nico Harrison is fired, fans can rest easy knowing he won't be moved in the dead of night.

While Dereck Lively II's offensive limitations might hold him back from ever making an All-Star Game, he is an elite rim protector and rebounder when healthy. Is he a franchise centerpiece? Not really, but it's hard to imagine the Mavericks finding a better center who fits Flagg's timeline.

With a dire need for a young point guard, having the defensive anchor already on the roster is key, provided he manages to recover well from his foot injury.

All of these players bring something to the table that Flagg lacks, be it elite playmaking, ball-handling, or shooting. All of them, critically, fit Flagg's timeline as well, with Washington and Williams being the only ones over 25 years old.

Are these players untouchable? No, for the right trade package, any of them could be moved. However, they have proven to be worthy assets on the court next to Flagg, and should be able to weather the rebuild alongside him, emerging on the other side once the Mavericks are a winning team once again.

Naji Marshall, Daniel Gafford, and Dwight Powell all bring something to the table. Marshall is a solid perimeter defender. Gafford is an elite finisher at the rim. Powell is the longest-tenured Maverick, and that should mean something.

Hardy is young, can hit shots off the bench, and fits Flkagg's timeline. However, like the rest of the players in this tier, it's easy to see a team offering to overpay for his services. If that's the case, expect Dallas not to hesitate in moving him.

Unlike the players down below, these players do have some value long-term to Flagg and the Mavericks, although don't expect fans to protest if any of them get moved.

Only one of these players should really be a "hot take." I've long been on record that Kyrie Irving, like Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson, needs to go.

It's nothing against him. Thompson and Irving were brought in to maximize Luka. He's gone, and they don't bring the same benefits to Flagg, who is now at the center of any responsible decision-making.

As for Davis, Russell, and Martin, all three of their trade values are rapidly declining. However, in an effort to open up cap/roster space as well as bring in any draft capital possible, those three need to move as well.

Even with Davis' hand injujry, he is likley the best trade asset Dallas has. If the Mavs want to keep him around for the season and flip him right before the 2026 Draft, that could be a smart move, although no one in this tier should be considered a long-term piece.