For the first time in franchise history, the Dallas Mavericks were rewarded the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft Lottery.

After entering with a lottery-low 1.8% chance of landing the pick, the Mavericks jumped up 10 spots and now have the ability to draft the consensus No. 1 pick, Cooper Flagg.

The freshman forward out of Duke averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game, according to ESPN. Flagg’s versatility on both ends of the court, combined with elite instincts and a motor that never stops, has drawn comparisons to players like Jayson Tatum and a young Kevin Durant. His ability to defend, rebound and create his own shot makes him a true franchise cornerstone.

Flagg is the surefire first player off the board, but there is always a possibility the Mavericks front office trades the pick or decides to go a different direction — a direction that, quite frankly, would be a massive mistake.

With Kyrie Irving tearing his ACL and Klay Thompson getting older, it’s clear the Mavericks should make some moves this offseason to acquire more guard play and stabilize the backcourt.

If the Mavericks want to shoot for the fences, why not try and get a player like Devin Booker?

The package to get Devin Booker would be massive and for good reason. Booker is an established player in this league and a real franchise changer.

Trade Proposal:

• Mavericks receive: Devin Booker
• Suns receive: Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, Jaden Hardy, Klay Thompson and two first-round picks

If the Suns decide to blow it up, why not get a pair of Hall of Famers in Davis and Thompson and a rising player in Lively? This addresses their defensive problems and gives them some draft capital to rebuild.

Flagg could grow into his superstar role without the burden of having to carry the offense alone from Day 1. Booker’s prime would align with Flagg’s development, giving Dallas a 5-to-8-year championship window.

While giving up young assets and picks is risky, Dallas would be securing an All-NBA guard who could thrive as a lead scorer alongside a rising star like Flagg.

Maybe the Mavericks decide not to make a major splash and instead look toward free agency to solidify the guard position. Veterans like Tyus Jones or Dennis Schröder could offer steady ballhandling and playoff experience.

Meanwhile, targeting a young playmaker like Josh Giddey in a trade could give Dallas a long-term option to pair with Flagg. Players like Quentin Grimes or Ty Jerome could also provide shooting and defensive depth at the guard spot.

There have also been whispers on social media suggesting the Mavericks should trade for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, who recently expressed openness to leaving Milwaukee. On paper, the idea is exciting.Bringing a two-time MVP and Finals MVP winner to an already solid roster seems like the perfect recipe for a contending team.

The only problem is Antetokounmpo is set to make $57 million next season, and that number only goes up during the final two years of his deal. The Mavericks would have to gut their roster to make it happen, essentially stripping away any chance of building a complete team.

The Mavericks find themselves in a rare position: holding the top pick in the draft and a foundation to build something special. Instead of chasing a quick fix, Dallas should trust Flagg’s generational talent, build around him and commit to a smart, sustainable path back to championship contention.