Cooper Flagg is one of the best draft prospects in recent years. His two-way impact rivals Victor Wembanyama’s, he has a solid outside shot, and one of the best motors in the entire NBA. The Dallas Mavericks, it seems, lucked into a franchise player.
Before his first NBA game, Flagg has already fallen victim to criticism from at least one NBA legend. Despite being compared to all-time greats, there are concerns about how Flagg will fit into a team with title hopes.
Of course, most fans would say that Flagg will simply boost the Mavericks‘ chances of going on a deep run, but not everyone is convinced.
GettyLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 12: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks dunks against the San Antonio Spurs in the second half of a 2025 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 12, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Tim Hardaway Expresses Cooper Flagg Concern
Flagg is coming off a season with the Duke Blue Devils where he posted 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 2.8 “stocks.” He was awarded the Wooden Award, the AP Player of the Year, ACC Player of the Year, and the Naismith Award. By and large, he had the greatest freshman season in living memory.
On top of that, he has been praised for having the ultimate competitive mindset, but not everyone is convinced.
“The kid is fragile,” Tim Hardaway told The Action Network’s Matt Moore. “He is coming into a situation where they wanna win. Right now. It’s not like Magic coming in after winning the championship and understanding how to run a team. This guy is not like that. I don’t think his mind is ready for that type of play right now.”
In his second and final NCAA season, Magic Johnson led the Michigan State Spartans to a national title before winning the Finals with the Los Angeles Lakers in his rookie season. Flagg made it all the way to the Final Four and entered a team with the same goals as the 1980s Lakers.
Hardaway seems to be the only player, analyst, or fan with real doubts about Flagg being “fragile.” The Mavericks will undoubtedly make him a fixture of the starting lineup and are prepared to embrace any growing pains.
Getty Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks speaks to the media after being drafted first overall during the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 25, 2025.
Cooper Flagg Doesn’t Fit Mavericks’ Timeline
When the Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Lakers, they readily opened a narrow (but promising) title window. Between Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, and Kyrie Irving, Dallas boasted a veteran big three.
Adding Flagg was not on their radar, although it was a welcome surprise. Hardaway isn’t sure if Dallas is willing to alter their timeline around him.
“His mindset is really good right now, but he hasn’t been really thrown into that fire,” continued the five-time All-Star. “The learning curve, it could be short, it could be long. With a veteran team, they wanna win now. It’s gonna be tough.”
Flagg seems to be a complete enough player that he can be “thrown into the fire” right away, find his footing, and help the Mavericks win.
Hardaway’s concerns are largely unfounded and are just the latest example of former players trying to discredit the current generation of stars.
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