Looming threat to Wembanyama's inevitable reign may rise sooner than expected

As the Spurs are becoming the NBA's next powerhouse franchise, there's a new force quietly brewing in the Western Conference. The Dallas Mavericks have found their next centerpiece to kick off the post-Luka Doncic era, and his name is Cooper Flagg. Things could get interesting with this team sooner rather than later.

The rookie from Duke has been nothing short of amazing. He's posting over 20 PPG through the year and is shattering several records. He's already one of the greatest teenagers the NBA has ever seen, showing an impressive offensive skill set with his mix of athleticism and shot creation.

While Dallas is not an immediate threat to San Antonio now, they are definitely a team to watch as they continue to build around Flagg in the near future.

A Victor Wembanyama and Cooper Flagg rivalry could shake up the NBA

I'm very intrigued about a potential budding rivalry between Victor Wembanyama and Cooper Flagg. NBA fans have become accustomed to the constant debate around that "best player in the league" title. There's a good chance Wemby snatches that crown by the end of this postseason, but Flagg can make things very, very interesting soon.

These two share a unique attribute. Not only are they both elite on offense, but they can also get it done on the defensive end. Now, Victor has already established himself as an elite defender, leading the current DPOY race. But Flagg also has a scary upside on that end that he's been tapping into.

He ranks second in the rookie class in both blocks and steals while also leading in defensive rating. Combine that with an impressive scoring attack and an underrated passing game (second amongst rookies in assists per game), and you have a future superstar.

Wemby is bringing two-way impact back to the forefront of the MVP conversation, and Flagg could follow in his footsteps. That dynamic makes this potential rivalry so special.

The reincarnation of the Spurs vs. Mavericks Rivalry

If the Spurs want to become the NBA's next dynasty, there's a rite of passage. Not only will they need to knock off the league's current powerhouse, but they'll also have to stave off other looming Western Conference threats. Years down the road, that threat could very well include Flagg's Mavericks.

But the Spurs are no strangers to this. Throughout the Tim Duncan era, they won a multitude of championships while tussling with several up-and-coming, talented teams out in their conference that threatened their position.

Interestingly, the Dallas Mavericks were one of the teams that emerged as a formidable opponent over the years. They met multiple times in the postseason from the early 2000's to the mid-2010's, with San Antonio holding a 20-16 lifetime playoff record over them.

Just as we could see a new chapter in the Mavericks/Spurs rivalry, we could also see the reincarnation of the Tim Duncan/Dirk Nowitzki rivalry through Victor and Cooper.

While things are going great now, the Spurs will need to continue building their roster to hold off the new powers that will arise in the West. Just as quickly as they can build a contender, another franchise could respond to take their spot.