“Shocking Trade Rumor: Mavs’ Nico Harrison Could Be Duped Into Sending Cooper Flagg to Sixers for Tyrese Maxey and No. 3 Pick!”

In a twist that has NBA fans doing double takes, a wild trade rumor has hit the circuit—one that suggests Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison might be vulnerable to trading potential generational talent Cooper Flagg to the Philadelphia 76ers for Tyrese Maxey and the No. 3 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. Yes, you read that right. The same Cooper Flagg that’s been dubbed “the next great hope” might be moved before he even puts on a Mavs jersey.

To say this trade proposal has sparked debate would be an understatement. Cooper Flagg, the 6’9” Duke Blue Devils standout, has been a walking highlight reel and is projected to bring a rare mix of elite athleticism, defensive instincts, and basketball IQ to the league. He’s already drawn comparisons to Jayson Tatum and even young LeBron for his all-around game. So the idea of the Mavericks parting with him sounds borderline absurd—unless, of course, there’s more beneath the surface.

Tyrese Maxey is no slouch. Coming off a breakout All-Star season with the Sixers, Maxey has evolved into a dynamic scorer, playmaker, and fan favorite in Philadelphia. His energy, speed, and improving three-point shot make him an ideal backcourt partner for Luka Dončić. On paper, Maxey and the No. 3 pick—which could be used on another top-tier prospect like Ron Holland or Matas Buzelis—seems like a respectable haul. But does it outweigh the potential of a player many believe could dominate the NBA for the next decade?

Insiders close to the situation suggest this isn’t a case of a straightforward deal—rather, some speculate that Sixers President Daryl Morey is “playing chess while others play checkers.” The notion that Nico Harrison could be tricked or coaxed into dealing Flagg is what has people raising eyebrows. Morey is known for pulling off aggressive trades, and with Joel Embiid’s championship window narrowing, landing a transformative player like Flagg would be a masterstroke.

Still, the Mavericks have shown a strong commitment to surrounding Luka with both win-now pieces and future stars. Flagg could be the perfect two-way anchor to complement Dončić’s offensive brilliance. Trading him away before even seeing how he fits with the team smells like panic—or worse, manipulation. Could Harrison really be that short-sighted, or is this rumor more smoke than fire?

The idea of Maxey and Luka sharing a backcourt does have some appeal, especially considering Kyrie Irving’s age and inconsistent availability. Maxey brings youth, durability, and defensive grit. If Dallas believes that Maxey is a budding superstar who pairs better with Luka’s style than a raw rookie, maybe the deal has legs. But then again, Cooper Flagg isn’t just another rookie—he’s a franchise-changing prospect.

Fans are already taking sides online. One faction is blasting the idea, calling it “one of the worst potential trades in modern NBA history.” The other, more cautious camp, thinks it’s worth considering if the Mavs feel like they’re in ‘win-now’ mode with Dončić in his prime. But even those fans admit it would be tough to stomach if Flagg becomes the All-NBA juggernaut most analysts predict.

What makes this rumor even more compelling is the question of who’s really pulling the strings. Is Morey planting the seed in the media to make the deal seem plausible? Is Harrison entertaining the idea because of pressure from ownership to make a deep playoff run immediately? Or is this all a high-level smokescreen as both teams explore very different trade possibilities?

As the NBA Draft approaches, this rumor is gaining traction rather than dying down. Whether it’s legitimate or not, the buzz surrounding it has the entire league watching Nico Harrison’s next move with a microscope. One thing is for certain: if the Mavs move Cooper Flagg before he even gets his rookie photo shoot, the fallout could be massive—for better or for worse.

Until a deal is made (or definitively denied), the basketball world remains in suspense. Is this trade a master plan or a massive mistake waiting to happen? Only time—and maybe a very persuasive phone call from Daryl Morey—will tell.