Though only seen in preseason action so far in his career, the first overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks, is already receiving praise from around the league.
Most recently, Flagg and the Mavericks matched up against the Los Angeles Lakers, with Dallas taking home the victory in part due to a 37-8 run in the fourth quarter.
Speaking after the game, Lakers head coach JJ Redick didn’t mince words when asked about Flagg’s potential impact in the NBA.
“I think his defensive instincts and playmaking ability far exceed most 18-year-olds,” Redick said on Flagg in his postgame press conference. “He’s a worker and I expect him to develop into a very good shooter. … He just has such a good feel for the game.”
Flagg finished the game against Los Angeles with 13 points, two rebounds, and three assists in what was his second time playing point guard in preseason action.
JJ Redick Cooper Flagg Comments
While Flagg’s 5/11 shooting in 28 minutes doesn’t necessarily stand out on the statsheet, he was impactful in the win for Dallas, and Redick noticed that as well.
Whether it be the defensive versatility, playmaking, or shooting ability, the Lakers’ coach had strong praise for the top pick in the most recent draft. Even with his team losing, Redick made sure to compliment the favorite to win Rookie of the Year.
When asked about a player comparison for Flagg, Redick didn’t have an answer. Even when Hall of Fame player Grant Hill’s name was brought up, Redick was hesitant to compare him to Flagg in Dallas.
“No, it doesn’t, to be honest with you,” Redick added. “He doesn’t really remind me of everybody. I know the Grant Hill comparison is getting thrown out a lot right now, but Cooper’s his own special player.”
Both Flagg and Hill have been praised for the all-around abilities in their play-style. While he hasn’t put up eye-popping numbers in the preseason, the rookie has shown signs of impacting the game in nearly all aspects.
Jason Kidd On The Cooper Flagg Point Guard Position
In the most recent showcase of his versatility, Mavericks head coach has been experimenting with Flagg playing point guard for the team in their latest two preseason games.
With Kyrie Irving expected to be out for a large portion of the year, Dallas signed D’Angelo Russell as his replacement, but it lacks another true playmaker. In steps Flagg, who led Duke in assists last season, and has shown strong potential at the point-forward position for the Mavericks.
When asked if he plans to keep Flagg at that spot on the court going forward, Kidd didn’t give a firm commitment.
“He’s got to keep an index of who got shots, what was the last shot, and that’ll come with reps,” Kidd said to reporters after the win over the Lakers. “But I think [Flagg] has done an incredible job of handling the situation of running the team. And the other thing that I think that is going unnoticed is that his teammates enjoy him running the team.”
In the games in which Flagg has started at point guard, Kidd has put together one of the tallest lineups in recent NBA memory. In Dallas’s last two exhibition games, Flagg has started alongside P.J. Washington, Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis, and Dereck Lively, each of whom is at least 6’5” or taller.
The defensive lineup could prove extremely strong for Kidd as the season goes along, but it would require Flagg to thrive in that lead playmaking position, at least until Irving returns from injury.
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