Cooper Flagg has captured the NBA’s consideration earlier than stepping onto knowledgeable courtroom.
The 18-year-old Duke standout brings a refined talent set, composed strategy, and flexibility that has scouts calling him a generational prospect.
After being chosen first general by the Dallas Mavericks within the 2025 NBA Draft, Flagg has already emerged as a powerful Rookie of the Yr candidate.
Paul Pierce not too long ago shared his daring prediction in regards to the younger ahead’s fast affect.
“My expectation for him? I feel he’s a lock for Rookie Of The Yr. I feel he’s gonna assist Dallas push for a playoff spot, and his ceiling as a rookie? He can really be an all-star in his rookie 12 months. That’s how good this child is,” Pierce stated on FS1’s SPEAK.
.@paulpierce34‘s expectations for Cooper Flagg:
“I feel he is a lock for Rookie Of The Yr, he is gonna assist Dallas push for a playoff spot, and he can really be an all-star his rookie 12 months.” pic.twitter.com/0cVNsglVFR
— Communicate (@SpeakOnFS1) June 26, 2025
The previous NBA champion’s confidence stems from what Flagg achieved throughout his single faculty season.
The Duke ahead averaged 19.2 factors, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.4 blocks per sport whereas incomes Nationwide Participant of the Yr honors.
His two-way excellence helped information the Blue Devils to a Closing 4 look.
What makes Flagg’s scenario notably favorable is the crew he’s becoming a member of.
Not like most prime picks who land with rebuilding franchises, Flagg steps right into a Dallas Mavericks group that has most of its items positioned.
Enjoying alongside established stars like Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving offers him with a supporting solid that may ease his transition to the NBA.
The Mavericks’ entrance workplace understands they’re working with a younger expertise who wants improvement time.
Nevertheless, the assumption inside the group stays clear that Flagg can contribute instantly whereas rising right into a cornerstone participant.
His courtroom imaginative and prescient, defensive instincts, and skill to affect successful at a number of positions align completely with fashionable NBA necessities.
Whether or not he reaches All-Star standing in 12 months one stays to be seen, however early indicators recommend Flagg may certainly change into Dallas’s subsequent franchise cornerstone.
NEXT: Nick Wright Makes A Shocking Projection About The Mavericks
