Kon Knueppel and Cooper Flagg began their NBA careers this year, with the former Duke teammates both landing in the Top 5 of this year's draft. Flagg went to the Dallas Mavericks at No. 1 overall, while Knueppel was taken by the Charlotte Hornets at No.

It appeared as if the Mavericks had a short window of relevancy and championship contention following the trade of Doncic, but that changed once the ping pong balls fell their way — leading to the selection of No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg. The Duke freshman will join Christie and Dereck Lively II as the franchise’s core of the future.

The Dallas Mavericks have a special talent in Cooper Flagg. When the ping pong balls bounced their way, everyone in the NBA couldn't believe how lucky the Mavs had gotten, saving the franchise for the next decade from the disastrous Luka Doncic trade.