The Dallas Mavericks are now Cooper Flagg‘s team after the front office dealtAnthony Davis to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday. The Mavericks are gradually shaping the roster to build around the former Duke star. In his first season in the NBA, Flagg has shown promise and growth in his game.
On the latest episode of “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” the longtime sports journalist detailed how impressed he is with Flagg. The 6-foot-9 rookie, who mostly played small forward in college, is succeeding as a point-forward for the Mavericks, according to Simmons. He was impressed by how the 19-year-old star’s offensive arsenal has evolved halfway through his rookie year.
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Simmons referred to the Mavericks star as an “elite offensive player” since most teams haven’t figured out how to stop him.
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32).Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)
Mark Cuban, the minority owner of the Mavericks, hinted at the team’s plans for Flagg on Wednesday. As he continues to evolve on the offensive end, Dallas is looking to build a team that complements his play style.
“Wait till we get him spacing so teams can’t pack the paint,” Cuban posted.
Flagg has displayed aggressiveness in attacking the paint. By far, it’s his biggest strength, given his size. His ability to get all the attention of the defense when he’s inside helps him kick the ball out to open shooters. Additionally, if there are outside shooters, it will open the floor for him to stay aggressive in attacking the paint.
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Having reliable shooters will help Flagg get his teammates more involved and potentially increase his assist numbers. Through 46 games, the forward is averaging 4.2 assists. The draft asset that Dallas received in the AD trade could be used to draft reliable shooters to help the rookie star.
Related: Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg Moves Past Duke Teammate to Take No. 1 in NBA’s Rookie Ladder
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.