For months, Cooper Flagg’s choice as the primary total decide within the 2025 NBA Draft has been a positive factor. His expertise is so simple that regardless of who held the highest spot, his identify would have been referred to as and Dallas ended up being his destination. At 18 years outdated, he is the second-youngest No. 1 decide ever, only a week older than LeBron James was in 2003. He is already making historical past because the sixth Duke participant to be chosen first total, which is greater than every other faculty has had, with three within the final six years alone.
Flagg’s time at Duke was nothing wanting legendary. In his one season with the Blue Devils, he dominated the stat sheet: He averaged 19.2 factors, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per sport. He led Duke in each main class, incomes nationwide participant of the yr honors as a freshman-only the fourth to take action. The Blue Devils posted a nation-best 35-4 report, although followers nonetheless wince at their gut-wrenching, last-second loss within the March Insanity semifinals. Now, Flagg has his sights set on the professionals, and his Summer season League debut is the primary probability to see what he’ll convey to Dallas.
Flagg vs. Bronny: A Conflict of Journeys
Image this: It is July 10 in Las Vegas, and the air is thick with anticipation as Cooper Flagg steps onto the courtroom in a Dallas Mavericks uniform for the primary time to play in opposition to the Los Angeles Lakers. This showdown kicks off a doubleheader in Vegas, with Flagg dealing with off in opposition to the Lakers’ Bronny James, whose identify has been buzzing since final yr’s draft when he was chosen fifty fifth total.
Whereas Flagg is using excessive because the crown jewel of the 2025 draft, Bronny’s path has been extra of a sluggish burn. He spent most of his rookie yr with the South Bay Lakers within the G League, averaging 21.9 factors, 5.4 assists, and 5.2 rebounds throughout 11 video games. Within the NBA, nevertheless, he noticed restricted taking part in time-showing in simply 27 video games and averaging 2.3 factors and fewer than one help in 6.7 minutes per sport. Nonetheless, as LeBron’s son and a part of the league’s first father-son duo, Bronny carries a highlight all his personal.
Make no mistake, though-their careers and paths forward are, and can doubtless keep, miles aside. Flagg has sky-high potential, constructed on what he confirmed at Duke and cemented by his first-overall draft decide. For now, Bronny is a G-League expertise with the makings of an NBA function participant. Both method, it is thrilling to look at Flagg’s debut collide with final yr’s most talked-about draft decide. The NBA knew what it was doing by scheduling this sport to open the Vegas season-it’s a preview of what is to return for these two younger gamers.
Mavericks Reloaded: Flagg Sparks New Hope
For Dallas, Flagg’s arrival is a lifeline after a tough patch. Though the midseason commerce that despatched Luka Doncic away nonetheless stings, snagging Flagg as the highest decide would possibly simply flip issues round. The Mavericks aren’t combating a naked roster, both. Kyrie Irving is locked in with a three-year extension and can be again from his final season-ending harm earlier than the All-Star Gam and Anthony Davis can be set to return and play from the beginning of the season. The group has a deep supporting solid, together with Derek Energetic, Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington, Max Christie, and Daniel Gafford.
That is a lineup with punch, and Flagg’s dynamic sport might be the jolt they want. He is a do-it-all participant who can rating, defend, and move. In a stacked Western Convention, this retooled Mavericks squad all of the sudden seems to be able to compete with the most effective. Flagg’s Summer season League debut is not only a first look; it is a promise of a brand new period. It offers Mavs followers a contemporary star to cheer for and a shot at one thing massive.