As the NBA Draft draws closer, the Dallas Mavericks have made it clear that Cooper Flagg is now their cornerstone, their primary building block.

That makes perfect sense. He’s coming off a spectacular rookie season, he is just 19 and will be 20 for most of next season, and he’s shown every sign of being able to carry the leadership burden.

Which puts teammate and fellow former Blue Devil Kyrie Irving in an interesting situation.

Now 34, and coming off of an ACL injury, his future is uncertain, and a lot of people are suggesting that Dallas should trade him as part of an overhaul.

Among other things, he’s due to be paid $39,491,282 this coming season.

We have no idea what Dallas is thinking, obviously, but if they moved Irving, they could free up a lot of money to pursue, say, Giannis Antetokounmpo. He’s going to make a good bit more than Irving – about $58.5 million – and pairing him with Flagg would be incredible.

Or they could move Irving and spread that money around. They could sign, say, Luke Kennard for not that much, possibly Rui Hachimura, or Quentin Grimes.

The Mavericks also have two first-round draft picks to work with. They could sweeten the pot for an Irving trade and go for someone completely unexpected. Just imagine if they pulled off a trade for Bam Adebayo, Domantas Sabonis, or, say, Darius Garland?

A lot goes into an NBA trade, and we have no idea what Dallas would have to do to make it worthwhile. First, you have to deal with the salary cap, and then you have to make sure the pieces fit together.

Here’s another thought that could be fun, if difficult: Ja Morant and Memphis are clearly at the end, and while he’s damaged goods at this point, given all his various issues with the Grizzlies, he’s still an extraordinary talent. It’s fun to imagine him with Flagg, and it would be nearly impossible to guard both.

The good news is that Memphis won’t be able to get very much for him. The bad news?

He’s still Ja Morant, and he’s clearly a risk. But if it works…wow.

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