Blake Griffin knows the weight of expectations that come with being a top NBA draft pick. After 13 seasons in the league, the former No. 1 overall selection believes Cooper Flagg is uniquely equipped to handle it.

“I think he is the most complete player that we’ve seen come into the NBA in recent memory,” Griffin said on the Post Moves podcast with Candace Parker and Aliyah Boston. “I’m not saying he doesn’t have room to grow — he still has a ton of room to grow — but he passes, shoots, defends, rebounds. He seems like a great teammate, a great kid. There is, like, what’s the red flag? Which is really exciting for basketball to have these young guys. … Cooper is just able to play and guard so many different positions.”

Flagg, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, enters his rookie season with the Dallas Mavericks as the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year. At just 18 years old, the 6-foot-9 wing is expected to contribute immediately for a Mavericks team looking to compete deep into the playoffs.

Cooper Flagg Shows Growth at Summer League

Flagg gave an early glimpse of his potential during Summer League play. Across two appearances, he averaged 20.5 points, five rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals. In his second outing on July 12, he erupted for 31 points on 10-of-21 shooting while handling relentless full-court pressure from the San Antonio Spurs.

“I definitely felt a little more comfortable,” Flagg said after that game. “They were still picking up 94 feet. They did a really good job of pressuring us and getting us out of our actions. So that was tough — we had to try to figure out our spacing. But I was trusting all the work.”

Summer League head coach Josh Broghamer praised Flagg’s poise under pressure, noting his ability to initiate the offense despite constant defensive attention.

“Incredible,” Broghamer said. “For a kid who you say, ‘We’re going to give you the basketball and they’re going to pick you up full court,’ … it’s even more exhausting and tougher on him than a regular game.”

Dallas Mavericks’ Expectations

Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd has already said the team plans to challenge Flagg with different responsibilities on and off the ball, ensuring his versatility becomes a weapon rather than just potential.

“I want to put him at point guard,” Kidd said. “I want to make him uncomfortable and see how he reacts—being able to run the show. He’s comfortable playing the two and three positions, but we want to push, and I think he’s going to respond in a positive way. It’s all right to fail. It’s all right to turn the ball over. We’ve talked about that.”

Griffin, who will serve as an analyst for Amazon Prime this season, believes the rookie is in an ideal setting to thrive.

“I love that he is in Dallas,” Griffin said. “I think they have a really solid team around him. Most No. 1 picks are going to teams that haven’t been doing too great in the past. But I’m just excited for him to start this journey.”

For Flagg, the journey begins with balancing immense expectations with steady development. If his early flashes are any indication, the Mavericks may have landed not just a future star, but a player ready to impact winning right away.

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