Rockets can only laugh as rival makes massive mistake with generational talent

As the Houston Rockets enter the 2025-26 NBA Season, they are set to finally contend, and, with the addition of superstar Kevin Durant to their roster, the team has now finally acquired the go-to scorer they need to get them there.

Meanwhile, their cross-state rival Dallas Mavericks, while also being poised in the direction of contention, are in a strange spot with their roster, and the Rockets can only laugh as they attempt to balance their underbalanced roster with the news of their PJ Washington extension.

According to Sam Vecenie on The Game Theory Podcast, first-overall pick Cooper Flagg is likely now set to start either at small forward or shooting guard, neither of which are his best positions and have serious potential to stunt both his development and Dallas's chances at fielding a competitive roster.

The Dallas Mavericks might be making a huge mistake with Cooper Flagg

Two years ago, the Rockets watched, eliminated from playoff contention entirely, while the Mavericks soared to an NBA Finals appearance on the back of their superstar Luka Doncic.

Now, last season, the tables were turned as Houston soared in the standings, reaching the second seed in the Western Conference and watching the Mavericks descend into chaos as Doncic was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.

As a result, however, Dallas was afforded the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to draft Flagg, who projects to be one of the most talented draft picks in many years. Yet, the Mavericks are now left with a major rotational issue. How will they deal with their logjam at power forward?

All three of Anthony Davis, Washington and Flagg are naturals at the four-spot, and Vecenie, in reponse to this looming issue, said "I think they might just run this team this year and see what it looks like, but my problem with that is it's going to involve a lot of Cooper Flagg at the three, and it might involve a lot of Cooper Flagg at the two. And I am not wildly enthusiastic about that..."

Flagg, as a hugely athletic young forward, has a skill-set that mostly centers around his wingspan and his dynamic ability to cut to and finish at the basket. While he does have a perimeter shot, and shot 38.5% from beyond the arc in his lone season at Duke, it is frankly not his game.

Forcing Flagg into the two or three spot as a result of positional overlap could not only cause issues transitioning to the NBA for the young prospect; it could kill the Mavericks' spacing if it does not go as planned.

While the Rockets have a similar issue with how they will balance out their overload of wings and centers, they have the benefit of having an established young core, and they won't be able to help but laugh at the trouble that Dallas has gotten themselves into.