Udonis Haslem’s Rookie Take Raises Eyebrows, Leaves Cooper Flagg Off His Franchise List
Cooper Flagg hasn’t just lived up to the hype-he’s redefining what it means to be NBA-ready at 19 years old. Taken first overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2025 NBA Draft, Flagg entered the league with sky-high expectations.
So far, he’s met them head-on with a level of poise, versatility, and impact that’s rare for a player his age. But not everyone’s sold just yet.
NBA veteran and Miami Heat legend Udonis Haslem recently stirred the pot with a surprising take on this year’s rookie class. When asked which rookie he’d choose to build a franchise around, Haslem didn’t go with Flagg. Instead, he picked Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe-and in doing so, he made a few comments that had Mavericks fans raising their eyebrows.
“I know Cooper is doing his thing, I know Kon is doing his thing... VJ out of all these guys, he is the two-way guy,” Haslem said.
“This guy impacts the game regardless if the basketball is in his hands. If I'm starting a team, I'm starting my team with a two-way guy.”
Now, Edgecombe is no slouch. He’s an elite athlete with a high motor and a knack for making winning plays on both ends.
But calling him the two-way guy of this rookie class while downplaying Flagg’s all-around game? That’s where things get tricky.
Because if there’s one thing Flagg has shown in his young NBA career, it’s that he is a two-way force.
He’s averaging just under 20 points per game, adding nearly six rebounds, four assists, and a steal each night. But stats only tell part of the story.
What really jumps off the screen is his defensive versatility. Flagg has been guarding one through five, switching onto guards, wings, and bigs with equal confidence.
He reads passing lanes like a seasoned vet and brings a level of intensity and anticipation that makes him a constant disruptor.
Offensively, he’s already flashing the kind of polish that’s rare in a rookie. He plays with pace, makes smart decisions with the ball, and doesn’t force the issue-yet still finds ways to put up numbers. Whether he’s spotting up, attacking closeouts, or facilitating from the high post, Flagg has quickly become a central piece of Dallas’ offense.
And that’s on a Mavericks team that’s been dealing with injuries and inconsistency elsewhere on the roster. Flagg hasn’t just been a bright spot-he’s been a stabilizer, giving Dallas a glimpse of what the future could look like with a healthy core built around him.
So when Haslem suggests Flagg isn’t the guy to build around because he’s not a two-way player, it doesn’t quite line up with what we’re seeing on the court. Flagg isn’t just playing both ends-he’s thriving on both ends. And that’s exactly why he’s the current frontrunner for Rookie of the Year.
Look, Haslem’s earned the right to his opinion. He played 20 years in the league, won three titles, and knows what winning basketball looks like. But in this case, his take is bound to spark debate-because everything Flagg is doing right now suggests he’s not just a two-way player, he’s potentially a franchise cornerstone in the making.
Dallas took a big swing with the No. 1 pick. So far, it looks like they hit it out of the park.