2025 draft thread: THE MAVS SELECT COOPER FLAGG

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

AD isn't going anywhere. Nico wouldn't trade him because it would make all his, "defense wins championships" comments completely hollow. The whole Luka trade would get exposed for what it was.... the reaction of a pouty baby who traded away a generational player because he wouldn't "behave".

#sunkcost

[DL2RimRocker]

I think that probably won’t be the most successful line-up, but could be the most beneficial one long term because it would give Cooper the steepest learning curve in the first couple of months. Not unlike Lively was thrown into the fire. And everything points to Cooper being a really fast learner, so if he improves his handling, decision making and playmaking in the first couple of months because of an exaggerated guard or point forward role he‘ll be even more lethal as soon as Kyrie returns.

Cooper's favorite player is Tatum so I can see him trying to pattern his game to some degree.

[Winter]

The name I see quite a bit now as a first round draft pick is Cedric Coward - who looks like an Anthony Edwards starter kit.

An interesting guy who has almost no college film because of an injury. He was considering transferring to Duke before the combine, but he got so much buzz there that he decided to stay in the draft.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljIA-HcrzFg

[Chicagojk]

The name I see quite a bit now as a first round draft pick is Cedric Coward - who looks like an Anthony Edwards starter kit.

An interesting guy who has almost no college film because of an injury. He was considering transferring to Duke before the combine, but he got so much buzz there that he decided to stay in the draft.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljIA-HcrzFg

Yeah, I hadn't heard of him before a few weeks ago.    Seems like he has a lot of buzz now.   He isn't even working out for teams yet.   I wonder if they try to keep it that way and ride the momentum.

[Winter]

Yeah, I hadn't heard of him before a few weeks ago.    Seems like he has a lot of buzz now.   He isn't even working out for teams yet.   I wonder if they try to keep it that way and ride the momentum.

Apparently just started working out with teams last week. First OKC, then Boston, and now seven other teams.

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2025/05/thun...oward.html

[Chicagojk]

Apparently just started working out with teams last week. First OKC, then Boston, and now seven other teams.

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2025/05/thun...oward.html

Thanks.  He is definately the man of mystery.  I watched highlights of the 4 games he played this year.  From the highlights, he does not look particularly explosive.  He has huge shoulders, big hands and a long winspan.  I have heard that he maybe could use his body like K. Leonard to get to his spots.  The other thing I notice is he doesn't look like a particularly good dribbler.  His shot looks really pure though and he has the measurements teams want.   I think his dribbling ability will be the big swing skill for him.

[Chicagojk]

Cooper's favorite player is Tatum so I can see him trying to pattern his game to some degree.

I can see the Tatum comps.   I think they are not exact replicas but I think they both use their strength really well.    Tatum has gotten a lot stronger since joining the NBA.    

BTW, I looked at Tatum's roster his first year.   Man, that team should have been awesome.   Tatum and Brown were just babies though.   Kyrie, Hayward, Horford, Smart, Marcus Morris, Terry Rozier.  Looking back on that roster and the skill of their young players, 1 championship may be a little bit of a disappointment.  Winning one is really hard though and maybe they have another one in them in the future.  I just found it interesting.

[GATA]

Flagg is way stronger than Tatum. He will be a better player on both sides of the ball. Tatum, at Flagg’s age was a third wheel

[Knutsen]

Flagg is way stronger than Tatum.  He will be a better player on both sides of the ball.  Tatum, at Flagg’s age was a third wheel

Better player on offense would be crazy - better overall player because of way better defense and only slightly worse offense would be a clear top 5 player in the league, so I think better on both sides than Tatum would be a truly generational player. Either that or your underestimating Tatum.

[michaeltex]

Not to be a jinx, but is there any worry that Flagg could drop out of the draft?

I've seem some comments about how he could still have a big payday from NIL if he stayed another year at Duke, so the financial blow would be softened. Also about how they would be a title contender again and he would have another year of hanging with guys in his age group. In my mind, I just put it down to haters dragging DAL because of the Luka+Lottery thing, but still.

Maybe I'm just being a worry wart in my old age....

[Smitty]

Not to be a jinx, but is there any worry that Flagg could drop out of the draft?

I've seem some comments about how he could still have a big payday from NIL if he stayed another year at Duke, so the financial blow would be softened. Also about how they would be a title contender again and he would have another year of hanging with guys in his age group. In my mind, I just put it down to haters dragging DAL because of the Luka+Lottery thing, but still.

Maybe I'm just being a worry wart in my old age....

No chance. Nico would probably love that though, giving him the okay to select Harper, who he probably thinks fits better with this "2-year window" roster he built.

[khaled1987]

No chance. Nico would probably love that though, giving him the okay to select Harper, who he probably thinks fits better with this "2-year window" roster he built.

A bit off topic, but I would love having Harper here tbh, he is my favourite type of prospect even over Flagg. But Flagg is going to be better, so I am not rooting for that.

I've seem some comments about how he could still have a big payday from NIL if he stayed another year at Duke, 

Most of those comments base it on his first year salary vs college income, but it is about he extra NBA year. 
In 5 years, he will lose one Maximum year of contract (assuming he is a star) for a college pay. That could be north of 30M difference.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

I can see the Tatum comps.   I think they are not exact replicas but I think they both use their strength really well.    Tatum has gotten a lot stronger since joining the NBA.    

BTW, I looked at Tatum's roster his first year.   Man, that team should have been awesome.   Tatum and Brown were just babies though.   Kyrie, Hayward, Horford, Smart, Marcus Morris, Terry Rozier.  Looking back on that roster and the skill of their young players, 1 championship may be a little bit of a disappointment.  Winning one is really hard though and maybe they have another one in them in the future.  I just found it interesting.

Kyrie screwed them.  Had he been the citizen he's been in DAL, that would have been multiple chips.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Flagg is way stronger than Tatum.  He will be a better player on both sides of the ball.  Tatum, at Flagg’s age was a third wheel

Let's pump the brakes on CF. He hasn't even played his 1st NBA game yet. He has a long way to go to accomplish what Jason Tatum has.

[Chicagojk]

draft has been weeding out with a handful of draftable guys going back to school to get NIL money. I think it is smart for most of them. I think there would still be a good player at 35/36, but it has really watered down this draft. It seems like you will see a lot of older college players and international players in round two.

[Chicagojk]

draft has been weeding out with a handful of draftable guys going back to school to get NIL money.  I think it is smart for most of them.    I think there would still be a good player at 35/36, but it has really watered down this draft. It seems like you will see a lot of older college players and international players in round two.

some names who have removed themselves from the draft.  I think in pre NIL, at least half of these names stay in the draft.

1. Yaxel Lendeborg
   
2. Mario Saint-Supery
   
3. Alex karaban
   
4. Dame Sarr
   
5. Tahaad pettiford
   
6. Johann grunloh
   
7. Ian Jackson
   
8. Zvonimir ivisic
   
9. Miles byrd
   
10. Alex condon
    
11. PJ haggerty
    
12. Jojo tugler
    
13. Jaron Pierre jr
    
14. Donnie Freeman
    
15. RJ luis jr
    
16. Jaland lowe
    
17. Joson sanon
    
18. Coenn carr
    
19. Robert wright III
    
20. Kanon Catchings
    
21. KJ lewis
    
22. Thomas haugh
    
23. JT toppin
    
24. Isaiah evans
    
25. mackenzie mgbako
    
26. Sergio de larrea
    
27. Boogie Fland
    
28. Darrion Williams
    
29. Milos uzan
    
30. Karter knox
    

[michaeltex]

Just saw where Flagg has signed with CAA Basketball for representation. Apparently, the first Mav's client for CAA.

Anybody with a read on how they are to deal with? I think Klutch has dominated the agent headlines for the last 10 years or so.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Great choice Coop, Klutch is the devil. Boicott them.

[DanSchwartzgan]

Just saw where Flagg has signed with CAA Basketball for representation. Apparently, the first Mav's client for CAA.

Anybody with a read on how they are to deal with? I think Klutch has dominated the agent headlines for the last 10 years or so.

We had a less than optimal experience with them a few years back.  The player we lost plays in NY now.

BTW, for those saying Coby White can't be had, Chicago can't extend him off of his current salary as he's worth more than the extension rules allow.  I like him on Dallas, but we'd have the same issue.  Guess who his agent is...yep, CAA.

[Jmaciscool]

I believe CAA also represents Chris Paul.