Cooper Flagg Joins Dallas Mavericks as First Overall Pick, Expected to Make Immediate Two-Way Impact

Cooper Flagg, the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, is set to begin his NBA career with the Dallas Mavericks. The highly hyped former Duke standout, who previously trained with Team USA before the 2024 Olympics, is expected to make a strong, sustainable two-way impact from day one. While not anticipated to be the primary offensive option due to the presence of Anthony Davis and a healthy Kyrie Irving, Flagg should serve as a consistent secondary weapon, possessing no glaring weaknesses in his game. His impressive collegiate numbers at Duke included 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, shooting 48.1 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from three-point range, surpassing expectations as an off-the-dribble shot creator. During two Summer League appearances, he averaged 20.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.0 blocks. The early-season absence of Irving could lead to an uptick in his usage, potentially making him the second-best option behind Davis, with projected rookie averages around 15 points, five rebounds, and 3.5 assists.