05-14-2025, 10:10 AM
(05-14-2025, 06:37 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: FWIW, Brian Dameris on his podcast with Followill talked about Flagg being able to play WITH PJ, AD and a center. In other words, at the two or as a secondary creator or even as your primary ball handler. Flagg got 20% of Duke's offensive possessions as the PnR ball handler. Everyone coming out of Duke is a system player and that system often holds down the stats for Duke's best players. Dameris also pointed out that Flagg was 44% from 3 the last two months of the season. Dameris thinks there is more to Flagg's offensive game than meets the eye.
The point here is if this proves true, we don't necessarily have to trade for PG help until Kyrie gets back. Flagg can be part of the solution along with Naji, Williams and presumably Exum (assuming we can work with Kyrie to stay under the second apron). Even when Kyrie returns, the suggestion was our best lineup might be Lively, AD, PJ, Flagg and Kyrie. The D would be incredible. PJ would be relegated to the corner 3 where he's a better shooter and most of the offense would run through Flagg, Kyrie and AD.
This may be true down the road for him but it is A LOT to ask of him his rookie year on a team that has winning expectations. He showed flashes of becoming a great playmaker but we're also suggesting asking someone who played high school center a year ago to become an NBA playmaker...he's probably one of the few human being capable of making that change but I don't think it will be instant and it shouldn't be the long term goal either. Turning some of this frontcourt logjam to get backcourt help is better for the team now and for Flagg's long term development (imo).
Also got to keep in mind that Dameris and Followill are literally company men and aren't really in the business of suggesting trading players that they are paid to promote.
Personally, I think trading AD/Klay to get some backcourt help and some future picks while just resting Kyrie a full year for a proper one year tank would be the best thing this team could do. If Kyrie didn't tear his ACL the conversation is totally different but this franchise should be looking forward. Cooper Flagg won't be 30 until 2037....please let that sink in.