Cooper Flagg Is Heating Up - But There’s One Part of His Game That Needs Work
Cooper Flagg is starting to look like the real deal in Dallas.
After a rocky start to his rookie season with the Mavericks, the 19-year-old phenom is finally finding his rhythm - and fast. Over his last nine games, Flagg has topped 20 points in seven of them, including a pair of statement performances: a 35-point night and a jaw-dropping 42-point explosion that turned heads across the league.
On the season, Flagg is putting up 18.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in just over 34 minutes per game. For a teenager still adjusting to the speed and physicality of the NBA, those numbers are nothing short of impressive. He’s showing poise, versatility, and a competitive edge that’s rare for a player his age.
But even with all the promise he’s flashing, there’s one glaring issue that’s starting to stand out: the three-point shot.
Coming into his lone season at Duke, Flagg’s perimeter shooting was widely viewed as the biggest question mark in his game. Then he went out and hit 38.5% from deep, quieting some of those concerns - at least temporarily.
Fast forward to his first NBA season, and that shot just hasn’t translated yet. Through December, Flagg is connecting on just 23.4% of his threes and has only made three triples this month.
That’s a tough pill to swallow in today’s NBA, where spacing and shooting are more critical than ever. It’s not unusual for rookies to struggle from beyond the arc - especially when adjusting to deeper range, tighter defense, and faster closeouts.
But for Flagg, this isn’t just a cold streak. It’s the one hole in his game that defenders are starting to target.
The good news? There’s reason to believe this isn’t a long-term issue.
Flagg is shooting a solid 47.8% from the field overall and an encouraging 82.8% from the free-throw line. That last number matters - a lot.
Free-throw percentage is often a better predictor of long-term shooting potential than early three-point splits. It suggests that with some mechanical refinement, the deep ball could come around.
Over the summer, NBA analyst Tim Legler pointed out some concerns with Flagg’s shooting form, specifically how it might struggle against longer, more athletic defenders at the pro level. And so far, that’s proven to be a fair assessment. Flagg’s release and footwork don’t always hold up under pressure, and NBA defenders are quick to exploit any hitch or hesitation.
That’s why the Mavericks need to be proactive here. Flagg doesn’t need to become Steph Curry overnight, but he does need to get to a point where defenses can’t just sag off him beyond the arc. Developing a reliable catch-and-shoot three - or even a mid-30s percentage from deep - would unlock another level of his offensive game and open up lanes for the kind of slashing and playmaking he’s already showing flashes of.
The foundation is there. The work ethic, the feel for the game, the ability to create - all of it points to a player who could become a franchise cornerstone.
But in today’s league, where even centers are expected to stretch the floor, Flagg’s shooting is more than just a bonus skill. It’s a necessity.
Right now, he’s proving he can put up numbers and impact games even without a consistent three-point shot. That’s no small feat. But if he wants to reach his full ceiling - and we're talking All-NBA potential here - dialing in that jumper will be the key that unlocks everything else.
So far, Flagg’s shown he’s more than capable of adapting. The next step? Turning that weakness into a weapon.