Cooper Flagg Is Already Looking Like That Guy - And the NBA Should Be Paying Attention
When Cooper Flagg entered the NBA, the hype was sky-high - and for good reason. The former Duke standout wasn’t just another top pick.
He came in as a complete prospect: size, skill, instincts, and a relentless motor on both ends of the floor. The kind of player you build a franchise around, not just plug into a rotation.
But even with all the tools, Flagg’s rookie year didn’t start off as smoothly as some might’ve expected. Part of that was due to a head-scratching move by Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd, who decided to throw the 6'9" forward into the fire - at point guard.
It was a bold experiment that raised eyebrows around the league. But now, a few months in, that trial-by-fire approach is starting to look a lot more like a calculated masterstroke.
Because right now? Flagg is cooking.
Over his last three games, Flagg has gone full supernova: 49, 34, and 36 points - all while shooting over 50% from the field and pulling down double-digit boards. That’s not just impressive for a rookie.
That’s elite production by any standard. The Mavs may have dropped all three games, but don’t let the box scores fool you - Flagg has been the standout on the floor, doing everything short of selling popcorn during timeouts.
What’s even more impressive is how he’s doing it. Flagg’s offensive game is already far more polished than most expected at this stage.
He’s not just scoring - he’s creating, slicing through defenses, reading coverages like a veteran, and pulling off advanced moves that usually take years to develop. The footwork, the handle, the patience - it’s all there.
Even longtime NBA voices are taking notice. Bill Simmons, who’s had a soft spot for Flagg’s Duke teammate Kon Knueppel, couldn’t contain his excitement after Flagg dropped 36 on the Celtics.
“He went from being a really good rookie to a f****** animal in the last two months,” Simmons said on his podcast, rattling off a list of high-level offensive skills Flagg already has in his bag. “This guy’s an elite offensive player already.”
And he’s doing all this under less-than-ideal conditions.
Dallas has been banged up, missing key pieces like Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II. The roster has been frontcourt-heavy and lacking consistent spacing - a tough environment for any young player, let alone one being asked to initiate offense from the point. Yet Flagg has not only survived - he’s thriving.
Even Mavs owner Mark Cuban chimed in, responding to a clip of Simmons’ praise with a warning shot to the rest of the league: “Wait till we get him spacing so teams can’t pack the paint.” That’s not just optimism - that’s a promise. And it should have Western Conference rivals on edge.
Dallas took a step toward that vision by trading away Anthony Davis, freeing up their frontcourt logjam and setting the stage for a more modern, Flagg-centric offense. Once Kyrie returns and the team adds more shooting - which they’ll have the cap space to do this summer - the floor will open up in a big way. That’s when things could get scary.
And the Mavs aren’t done building. They’ve got their own likely lottery pick in hand, plus the Thunder’s first-rounder via the AD deal. That’s ammo for either drafting more talent or swinging another big trade.
The Western Conference is no joke - the Thunder are already a powerhouse, the Spurs are on the rise, and teams like the Wolves, Rockets, and Lakers are stacked with talent. But with Flagg turning into a star right before our eyes, Dallas is building something real.
This isn’t just about a hot stretch or a few big games. This is about a rookie who’s already showing signs of being the guy - the kind of player who can change a franchise’s trajectory.
Cooper Flagg isn’t waiting for the future. He’s arriving right now. And the league better be ready.