DALLAS — Following the Dallas Mavericks’ deal sending Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards at the 2026 NBA Trade Deadline, the team’s management highlighted their commitment to building around promising rookie Cooper Flagg. During a press event held just hours after the trade deadline on Thursday, co-interim general managers Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi expressed a clear vision centered on the team’s long-term prospects, instead of short-term success.
Finley and Riccardi reiterated the front office’s belief that the future value derived from the draft picks obtained in the trade outweighs any potential combination of Flagg, Davis, and Kyrie Irving—who have all been with the roster at once but never played together—on the court.
Leadership Explains Motivations Behind Trade Decisions
Michael Finley acknowledged the allure for fans of witnessing the trio of Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and Cooper Flagg playing side-by-side but stressed the organization’s priority on strategic flexibility. He outlined how the trade was designed to provide options in shaping a championship-caliber team down the line.
As a fan, you probably would want to see AD, Kyrie, and Cooper on the court,
Finley said.
But we had an opportunity to do something to give us the ultimate flexibility in the future, to help us build what we see as a championship contender in the future. We just felt that this was an opportunity to take advantage of that situation, and that’s what we did.
Matt Riccardi emphasized that the Mavericks did not enter the trade market with a fixed expectation of the return but instead evaluated all options carefully before deciding to proceed with the deal.
I would say we evaluated everything — all the things that were coming in, not just this deal, but all the other deals we were looking at — and we weighed them against each other and thought, ‘Is now the right time to make this move?’
Riccardi said.
The deal we got hit a certain threshold of what we wanted to do, and how we wanted to move forward. [It] provided us that flexibility and that optionality, and it gave us the opportunity to build the team in a certain type of way. We were open to any roads and any path forward, and this one just happened to be the right one that we all jumped on.
Draft Choices Offer Framework to Build Around Cooper Flagg
For Finley, the highlight of the trade was receiving two first-round draft picks from Washington—one a late guaranteed pick and the other lottery-protected—along with three second-round picks. These assets extend the team’s ability to craft the roster purposefully around Flagg’s potential.
I think the draft conversation is good,
Finley remarked.
You take a look at our roster now. We have an unbelievable player in Cooper Flagg. So it’s up to us. It’s our job to put the right pieces around him. And when you have that type of draft capital, it gives yourself the ability to go out and put the proper pieces around him, to make our team — like I keep stressing — a championship contender. And with those type of uh tools in your toolbox, you’re able to do that.
Riccardi, while avoiding specifying exact skills the Mavericks are targeting, described the kind of players Dallas intends to acquire as those who bring particular mental traits to the court.
We want guys that embody toughness — the high IQ players, unselfish, hard-nosed defenders, [who] care about the team more than they care about themselves,
Riccardi said.
Those are the guys that win in this league. Those are the guys that have success. So it’s our job now to go get as many of them as we can, put them on the floor. There’s not a certain skill set. I think it’s more personality attributes and character attributes that we are looking for that can get us to the next level.
Current Roster Players Affirmed as Part of Team’s Future Plans
When questioned about wing players Naji Marshall and Max Christie—both retained through the trade deadline—Riccardi confirmed they fit the profile the Mavericks seek in their future roster.
We really like them as players,
Riccardi said.
We think they fit really well around what we have, but more importantly, those guys embody what we want in the organization, and we love everything that they bring to the table, both on and off the court, and their personalities. They’re Dallas Maverick players.
New Additions Set to Join Mavericks Roster Soon
The Mavericks acquired four players in the Anthony Davis trade package: Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Marvin Bagley III from Washington, and Tyus Jones from Orlando Magic (who was swapped for Malaki Branham, acquired in the same trade). Riccardi reported these players are expected to arrive in Dallas on Friday for physical examinations and integration into the team.
The hope is that all four will be ready to contribute immediately as the Mavericks head to San Antonio for another matchup against the Spurs on Saturday.
Organization Focuses on Today’s Moves, Avoids Dwelling on Past Transactions
Neither Finley nor Riccardi commented on how the recent trades relate to the earlier Luka Doncic deal that brought Anthony Davis to the Mavericks. Pressed about past trades, a team spokesperson requested that media focus solely on the current actions and their implications moving forward.
We just ask that you keep it focused on today’s moves from the 2026 NBA trade deadline and where the organization is headed as we go forward,
the spokesperson said.
Strategic Outlook for Dallas Mavericks’ Future Success
By moving Anthony Davis and acquiring multiple draft picks and versatile players, the Dallas Mavericks are clearly prioritizing future success. Building around rising star Cooper Flagg with a blend of high-character players and flexibility positions the team to develop into a championship contender over time. This approach reflects the management’s calculated choice to trade proven but inconsistent talent for potential and optionality, aiming to reshape the franchise’s trajectory.
As new acquisitions join the team and further roster decisions unfold, the Mavericks’ commitment to a long-term vision will be put to the test. Observers will be watching closely to see how effectively the organization leverages its draft assets and player personnel to establish a sustainable contender in the years ahead.
