Dallas Mavericks Draft Cooper Flagg First Overall
In a somewhat surprising move, the Dallas Mavericks have selected 18-year-old Cooper Flagg as the number one pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Flagg, who made headlines as one of the youngest basketball talents, shared his thoughts about the moment his name was called, describing it as “Dreams Come True,” a phrase echoed by the NBA Commissioner.
During his brief stint at Duke, Flagg primarily played as a forward but was also listed as a guard on the roster. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd has acknowledged adopting a more flexible approach regarding player positions.
“I haven’t seen that position,” Kidd remarked at a press conference.
Flagg’s Upcoming Challenges
Set to make his debut in the NBA Summer League on July 10, Flagg will face off against the Los Angeles Lakers. Kidd indicated he envisions Flagg taking on a point guard role during this summer series.
“I want to put him in the point guard position,” Kidd stated. “I want to make him uncomfortable and see how he reacts. He’s played comfortably, but we want to push him. I believe he’ll respond positively.”
Mark Cuban, part-owner of the Mavericks, also supports experimenting with Flagg in the point guard spot. Kidd revealed that he received text messages urging him to “let the point guard, point guard, point guard, ball lift.”
Standing at 6 feet 9 inches, Flagg excelled in bringing the ball up the court and occasionally setting up plays during his time with Duke, ultimately leading the Blue Devils in assists.
Coaching Perspective
Kidd downplayed concerns about Flagg potentially struggling with ball handling. “It’s okay to fail. It’s okay to turn the ball over,” he noted. He shared that he understood the developmental challenges young players face, citing Giannis Antetokounmpo’s early experiences.
With excitement building, Kidd expressed his eagerness for Flagg to handle the ball in Las Vegas. “We’re gearing up to see what happens against the Lakers, and we can’t wait to get started,” the Mavericks’ head coach said.
