Cooper Flagg hasn’t logged a regular-season minute yet for the Dallas Mavericks, but the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft has already generated bold predictions from league legends and executives alike.
The former Duke star enters the NBA with expectations as Dallas’ new franchise cornerstone following Luka Dončić’s trade to the Los Angeles Lakers. Hall of Famer Charles Barkley didn’t hesitate to highlight Flagg’s impact potential when asked about the Mavericks’ outlook.
“Let me tell you this, that Dallas Mavericks team, they might be the second-best team in the West if they could ever get healthy,” Barkley said during an interview with BetMGM Network. “Obviously, Kyrie is going to come back mid-season, but if AD can get healthy, and that boy Cooper Flagg, he’s the real deal.”
Execs, Scouts Eye Rookie of the Year
Around the league, executives and scouts share the enthusiasm. ESPN’s Jeremy Woo reported that 17 of 20 evaluators surveyed at Summer League picked Flagg as the front-runner for Rookie of the Year.
One Eastern Conference GM told Spotrac’s Keith Smith, “Dallas got a generational talent when those lottery balls bounced their way. That kid is unbelievable. Wish we had that kind of luck.”
Flagg is expected to carry a high usage rate with Kyrie Irving sidelined by an ACL tear. Dallas could feature a starting lineup of D’Angelo Russell, Flagg, Anthony Davis, P.J. Washington or Klay Thompson, and either Dereck Lively II or Daniel Gafford until Irving returns.
Summer League Showcases Growth
Flagg averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists during his lone season at Duke, then carried that production into Las Vegas. After struggling in his debut, he rebounded with a 31-point performance against the San Antonio Spurs.
“I definitely felt a little more comfortable,” Flagg said afterward. “They were still picking up 94 feet … but I was trusting all the work.”
The Mavericks ultimately shut him down after two games, but not before Flagg asked coaches for a third to prove his breakout wasn’t a fluke. “It shows how much he wants to be great,” one Dallas executive told Spotrac.
With Barkley, scouts, and executives all signaling confidence, the spotlight on Flagg’s rookie campaign will only intensify once the regular season tips off.
Latest Dallas Mavericks News & NBA Rumors