NBA Realities

The Dallas Mavericks have reportedly decided to select Cooper Flagg with the number one pick in the 2025 draft. Tim MacMahon of ESPN stated on May 13 that Maverick owner Patrick Dumont believes Flagg will be a generational talent.

Sources told ESPN that Patrick Dumont, who just finished his first year as the Mavs’ governor, considers the opportunity to be in position to draft a generational talent such as Flagg a “gift.” While Dumont has given Harrison great leeway to run basketball operations, the governor has final decision on all personnel matters.

Mavs offense

Dumont’s sentiments regarding Cooper Flagg are understandable, but the organization doesn’t have the infrastructure for him to live up to the expectations. Dallas head coach Jason Kidd featured significant isolation in his offensive system last season. The team ranked second during the regular season in this play type, averaging 11.1 per game.

When the Mavericks run in isolation possession, they typically have three players standing behind the three-point line as floor spacers and a big man standing by the rim in position to grab an offensive rebound.

On February 12, Kyrie Irving had the ball at the top of the key early in the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors. He began to drive to the basket on his defender, Buddy Hield. Irving had to stop his drive just before getting into the restricted areas because Golden State Warriors center Quinten Post rotated over to help Buddy.

Consequently, he performed a spin move before making a full away jumper. While Irving was isolating his defender, Klay Thompson, Max Christie, and Kessler Edwards stood behind the three-point line as floor spacers. Furthermore, Olivier-Maxence Prosper was standing near the dunker spot in position for a pass or an offensive rebound.

Flagg’s skill set

Unfortunately, Flagg is unlikely to succeed as a ball handler in an isolation possession. Cooper’s below-average foot speed leads him to struggle with separating from defenders on drives to the basket.

Cooper received the ball on the left wing with 14 minutes left in the first half against Baylor. He immediately took a couple of steps to the left to begin driving towards the basket.

Unfortunately, his defender, Jalen Celestine, took a couple of steps to the right, closing off the lane to the basket. Consequently, Cooper tried a spin move to get separation but was unsuccessful as the defender stayed with him step for step.

The unsuccessful spin move led Cooper to take a few steps back to reset and try again. On the second attempt to drive to the basket, Cooper chose to take a few steps to the left again to get separation.

Unfortunately, his defender once again took a couple of steps to the right, eliminating the avenue to the basket. Flagg had to pass the ball to the perimeter to reset the offense. 

Cooper’s inability to separate means that Dallas will likely use them as a floor space on the offensive end. Flagg has been an inconsistent shooter throughout his basketball career. 

According to ESPN, Flagg shot 26% from the three-point line during his junior year of high school. However, the following year, he saw a dramatic improvement, shooting 56% on 74 attempts.

Cooper’s inconsistency continued during his only college season at Duke University. He shot 32.9% during his first 20 appearances on three attempts per game. After the 20th game, he went on a hot streak, shooting 45.8% over the next 17 appearances on 2.5 attempts per game.

Cooper Flagg’s ideal role

The shooting track record will cause opposing teams to leave him wide open until he becomes more consistent. At this stage, Cooper’s best offensive tool is his leaping ability. He has shown the capability to cover a significant amount of ground by jumping after one or two steps.

Flagg stood at the top of a key with 14 minutes to go in the second half versus Notre  Dame. He began to take a few steps towards the basket when he received a pass from his teammate near the free throw line.

After receiving the pass, Cooper took two steps before jumping off the ACC logo for a dunk. Cooper Flagg’s leaping ability has contributed to his excelling as a cutter or roller. According to Hoop Intellect, Cooper shot 75% as a cutter with the Duke Blue Devils on 29 attempts. He complemented his cutting by shooting 51.7% as a roll man on 28 attempts.

The Dallas Mavericks were 10th in cuts during the regular season, averaging 7.8 per game. However, over 70% of the team’s cuts came from the power forward or center position.

Furthermore, Dallas will have two big men in the starting lineup next year, Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively. Consequently, Cooper will have limited space to attack the basket as both those men excel near the rim. 

Cooper Flagg’s defense

Cooper Flagg will also be unable to reach his defensive potential on the Mavericks. Cooper appears to be uncomfortable playing on ball defense on the perimeter.

He has a habit of giving ball handlers a few feet of space because it seems like he’s afraid of getting beat off the dribble. Cooper was assigned to guard Yohan Traore in a game versus SMU.

Flagg’s defensive assignment came to the right wing to set a screen for Kevin Miller. The screen caused Flagg to switch defensive assignments and defend Miller.

As a result, Cooper Flagg kept dropping until he reached the free throw line to lower the chances of Miller getting past him. Once the guard got to the free-throw line, Flagg became more comfortable because the guard had less space to move.

Miller ended up trying a difficult up-and-under layup, which Cooper blocked. Cooper’s uneasiness on the perimeter will be a problem for the Dallas Mavericks, as he will be the best defensive option in the starting lineup to guard the opposing perimeter player.

If this is correct, opposing players will attempt many three-pointers against him because they know he doesn’t want to get beat off a dribble.

Cooper Flagg’s best defensive role will be as a help defender or in confined spaces. Unfortunately, the Dallas Mavericks will start two players who will close off the paint in Davis and Lively. Therefore, Cooper won’t be able to use that skill set often next season. 

RJ Barrett

Ultimately, Cooper Flagg’s below-average foot speed and inconsistent shooting remind me of another former Duke player, RJ Barrett. RJ has had difficulty getting separated from defenders on drives to the basket throughout his career. Barrett was being guarded by Indiana Pacers forward Jarace Walker on the left wing.

He took a couple of steps to his right to begin driving to the basket. Unfortunately, Walker was able to stay with him by shifting his feet to the left. As a result, RJ dropped his left shoulder into Walker, attempting to get to separation, but it didn’t work. Therefore, he performed a spin move near the restricted area and made a jump hook.

He has also been a below-average shooter throughout his NBA career, with a three-point percentage of 34.6% on 4.8 attempts per game. If Cooper Flagg becomes RJ Barrett, he will be a high-end role player for the Dallas Mavericks.