The Rising Star: Cooper Flagg's NBA Journey
In a season that has been far from ideal for the Dallas Mavericks, one name has caught the attention of NBA legend Kevin Durant: Cooper Flagg. Despite the Mavs' disappointing 2-5 start, Durant sees a bright future for this rookie, drawing parallels between Flagg's situation and his own early days in the league.
But here's where it gets intriguing: Durant, a former college star, had to adapt to a new position when he entered the NBA, just like Flagg. "I came in college playing four, five. I came to the league playing a two," Durant explained. This shift in roles can be a challenging adjustment, as Durant himself experienced.
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd has assigned Flagg the task of playing point guard, a position he's never held before. While Flagg possesses excellent playmaking skills, he's still finding his feet in this new role, which has impacted the team's offensive performance. The Mavs currently rank last in offensive rating and points per game, highlighting the growing pains of this young squad.
However, Flagg shines when paired with true point guards, a luxury the Mavs currently lack due to injuries. With Kyrie Irving out, the team's options are limited to D'Angelo Russell, Brandon Williams, and Jaden Hardy, none of whom are ideal replacements. This has left Kidd with a tough decision: prioritize talent or experience.
And this is the part most people miss: Durant believes Flagg has the potential to be one of the greatest players ever. He witnessed Flagg's talent firsthand during practice with the USA select team before the Olympics, and his words carry weight. "I think he's going to be a hell of a player... he'll be considered one of the best of all time," Durant predicted.
It's a bold statement, but one that adds fuel to the fire of Flagg's rising star. As Flagg adjusts to his new role and the Mavs find their identity, the future looks promising. Will Flagg live up to Durant's high expectations? Only time will tell.
READ MORE: Mavericks' 2011 NBA Champion Weighs In On Flagg's Potential
Stay tuned to MavericksGameday for the latest updates on the Dallas Mavericks' journey in the 2025-26 season. Follow us on Twitter for all the latest news and insights!
