Written By Will Johnson June 23 2025
Let’s cut through the noise. There’s a lot of talent in this year’s NBA Draft, but if you’re even pretending there’s a debate at the top, you’re just trying to be different. Cooper Flagg is the clear-cut No. 1 pick — not just because of what he’s done, but because of what he is. The Dallas Mavericks were “Gifted” the No. 1 pick after the huge fall out of the Luka Doncic trade. Fire Nico was well heard throughout the North Texas region. He has a second chance with Mavs fans and that’s COOPER FLAGG, A certified franchise reset button.
This dude defends like he owes you money. You want swi
tchability? He’s guarding 1 through 4 at least. Going to Duke, you seem to be embedded with playing hard-nosed defense. After seeing countless hours of game film, he contests without fouling. He will obviously grow even more defensively, but you can see the formula is there. Some guys “try hard.” Flagg thinks hard — and wins possessions doing it. Cooper Flagg is a three-level scorer that plays with a flare. He hits the pull-up, can create off the bounce, and his stepback jumper at Duke looked real. You’re not just drafting potential here — you’re getting production. Oh, and he moves without the ball. He passes. He screens. He plays like he knows what winning basketball looks like because — shocker — he does. From his time practicing with the USA Olympic team last summer, you hear the stories of him holding his own with the likes of a LeBron James and Kevin Durant. He’s allegedly around 6’8″ with a 7’+ wingspan, explosive bounce, and defensive timing that borders on clairvoyance. And guess what? He’s still 18. You’re not projecting whether he’ll grow into a frame — he’s already there. Flagg isn’t just some highlight, mixtape, TikTok hooper; he’s a little different. He plays with an edge — obsessed with getting better, addicted to winning, and not scared of any moment as he took the final shot against U of H in the FINAL Four in April.
There are good players in this class. Great ones even. But Flagg isn’t in the same conversation, He is the conversation of this year’s draft. If you’re the Dallas Mavericks, Cooper Flagg is the guy you build around. I may be wrong, but again, Mavs fans need hope; they are desperately awaiting Luka’s replacement. Nico Harrison, I tell you right now, YOU HAVE 1 JOB and that’s drafting Cooper Flagg.
