The Dallas Mavericks are not in a position to wait around. With an aging Anthony Davis and an injured Kyrie Irving on the roster, the Mavs are expected to hit the ground running this season.
Of course, adding Cooper Flagg, one of the better prospects in recent memory, with the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft helps. Flagg is expected to be a day one starter and a key player on a winning team at just 18 years old. It is not expected that he will be the best player ever, but he could be one of the most "NBA-ready" prospects from day one.
Surrounding Flagg are Davis, Irving, PJ Washington, Klay Thompson, Dereck Lively III, and Daniel Gafford. All of those players are expected to be in Dallas through the rest of their primes, and the Mavs made a free agency announcement on Monday.
Gafford, who is set to be an unrestricted free agent after next season, has signed a three-year extension worth $60 million.
Interestingly, this deal is set to expire right at the end of Flagg's rookie contract, allowing the Mavericks some added flexibility as their prized youngster enters his prime. By then, it is expected that Davis and Irving will no longer be All-Stars, and Flagg will be ready to assume the mantle.
Gafford's contract, worth around $20 annually, will be off the books by then, giving the Mavs plenty of options in free agency in the distant future.
For a front office that has come under fire in recent months, this is a savvy move that points to future success.