Cooper Flag brings great attention during his rookie season.
The generation’s talent earned the number one pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and easily became a magnet of attention for the Dallas Mavericks.
The Mavericks will maximize his potential after the Luka Donsic deal as they need a new face for the franchise.
Well, right now they have Anthony Davis, but he could be contradictory in terms of availability.
Kyrie Irving also missed most of next season due to injuries, and Klay Thompson has already passed his prime.
This leaves Cooper Flag the flag as a media darling, making all the discussion about him interesting. This includes the role he will play next season.
Dallas insider Mike Curtis revealed that FLAGG is registered as both a guard and forward for the Mavericks media material.
This double designation reflects his unique skill set and potential flexibility. This classification is consistent with Coach Jason Kid’s vision for Duke products.
Jason Kidd believes Flag has the ability to act as a Point Forward, portraying a comparison with the NBA Legend Grant Hill.
Flag demonstrates key ball handling functions during his college career, suggesting that he can play similar roles professionally.
Kidd previously used this approach with Giannis Antetokounmpo during his tenure in Milwaukee.
Dallas is facing concerns from potential point guards heading into next season. The depth of the team’s position could create an opportunity for FLAGG to take on responsibility for ball handling early in his career.
D’Angelo Russell showed decline last season and appears to be less effective than his peak playmaking year. This regression could open the door to alternative solutions.
| position | Use aggg as Guard | Flag as forward |
| Point Guard | Cooper Flag | Dangelo Russell |
| Shooting Guard | Clay Thompson | Clay Thompson |
| A small front | PJ Washington | Cooper Flag |
| Power Forward | Anthony Davis | Anthony Davis |
| center | Daniel Gafford | Daniel Gafford |
Giving new employees primary ball handling tasks involves inherent risks. However, Flagg’s university experience and natural instincts suggest that he has the tools he needs to make a transition.
The Mavericks require significant contributions from the rookie, regardless of his particular role, making his development crucial for the immediate and long-term success of the franchise.