The Cooper Flagg sweepstakes were unexpectedly won by the Dallas Mavericks. Which means, the real winner here would be the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Mavericks took a 1.8 percent shot and turned it into the first overall pick. After trading away one generational talent in Luka Doncic, Dallas is now in position to replace him with another. That is, for about five years or so, before the inevitable eventually comes to pass.
One former Lakers star, and father of current Maverick Klay Thompson, joked it is only a matter of time before Flagg is donning the purple and gold in Los Angeles. Mychal Thompson even highlighted that Doncic will still be in his prime around the time frame when the trade will be on the table.
As much as this was some good-spirited humor, a larger question looms. Is the saying of 'behind every joke there is some truth' applicable here?
Flagg's future could eventually be in Los Angeles
If there was a thought that Nico Harrison's job was not safe before this incredible stroke of luck, it should be now. That is not because of the competence of Harrison or some forward-thinking masterplan that was concocted here.
The job of the Mavericks general manager is safe because Flagg is that great of a prospect. Dallas is bound to enjoy way too much success with the former Duke Blue Devils star to cut ties with Nico. That is a good thing for the Lakers.
It bears worth mentioning that there was a need for a report stating the Mavericks would not trade the first overall pick. Something that should have been common sense simply wasn't.
Tim MacMahon wrote, "Sources told ESPN that Patrick Dumont ... considers the opportunity to be in position to draft a generational talent such as Flagg a 'gift.' While Dumont has given Harrison great leeway to run basketball operations, the governor has final decision on all personnel matters."
It is absurd that conversation needs to exist in the first place. It also provides hope that, down the line, Harrison might just have enough in him to sell Dumont on the idea of moving on from Flagg too, as Thompson originally suggested.
Today's thought piece is all in the spirit of good fun, of course. However, anyone presently investing in a custom Lakers jersey with Flagg's name on it might feel like a genius when enough time has passed.