The first hype test for Cooper Flagg is here: The No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft will take the court in the Dallas Mavericks’ Summer League opener against the Los Angeles Lakers and Bronny James – and slip right into a special role.
Cooper Flagg is set to make his debut in a Dallas Mavericks jersey at the start of the Las Vegas Summer League on July 10 – and according to head coach Jason Kidd, he will even play point guard. “I want to give him the ball – against the Lakers – and just see what happens,” Kidd told Marc Stein. Flagg is also scheduled to play in the second game against Dylan Harper and the San Antonio Spurs.
Despite the high expectations, the 18-year-old remains calm: “I just want to get better every day,” said Flagg, who impressed at Duke College with 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists and a strong three-point percentage of 38.5 percent. General manager Nico Harrison sees the top pick as a perfect addition: “We’re in win-now mode – and he’s our future at the same time.”
Flagg won’t have to step into a leading role right away with the Mavs: with experienced stars like Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and Anthony Davis around him, he can grow at his own pace. Nevertheless, the Summer League provides the stage for him to showcase his full skill set – and to compete directly with Bronny James, one of the most exciting names in the game.
