As arguably the most promising American prospect since LeBron James, the spotlight would have shined brightly on Cooper Flagg regardless of his draft destination. Flagg landing on the Dallas Mavericks, following their unprecedented stroke of lottery luck in the wake of a season of shocking change, only adds to the intrigue.

Immediate Impact

Flagg is projected to be an instant starter, but he won't be expected to carry the team as a rookie surrounded by accomplished veterans, most prominently former No. 1 pick and 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis, who was the headliner in the return package for Luka Doncic.

Playoff Prospects

The Mavericks' playoff positioning could be significantly influenced by another former No. 1 pick and future Hall of Famer, Kyrie Irving. The timing of Irving's return from his torn left ACL and his ability to return to All-Star form will be crucial.

All-Star Predictions

It is exceedingly unlikely that Flagg will be selected as an All-Star as a rookie. However, second-year All-Stars are more common, and a very large portion of star-level players reach that level by Year 3, so our panel is confident that Flagg will fit into that bucket, at the very least.

MVP Potential

Flagg possesses the background as the most promising American No. 1 pick since LeBron James and the all-around game that will draw the around-the-clock attention consideration from MVP voters. His two-way ability and aesthetically pleasing game make him a contender to win multiple MVPs over a long career.

Championship Chances

It's not easy to win a title, even for a No. 1 pick. However, Flagg enters the NBA with a better projection than most top prospects, and the Mavericks have much more talent than rebuilding squads that typically pick first in the draft.

Career Longevity

Dirk Nowitzki shows there is precedent for a Mavericks star to remain in Dallas his entire career. However, predicting any player in the modern NBA to remain with one team over his full career seems like a fool's errand.