2025 draft thread: THE MAVS SELECT COOPER FLAGG

[david75090]

Me neither - if Flagg isn’t a prototypical small forward with his measurements and skillset then who is?

I don't get the Flagg is a small forward and a small forward only bit. Cooper has positional versatility. He's more PF/SF but handles the ball better than most SFs but can guard, probably most 2s through 5s.

[Knutsen]

I don't get the Flagg is a small forward and a small forward only bit. Cooper has positional versatility. He's more PF/SF but handles the ball better than most SFs but can guard, probably most 2s through 5s.

I didn’t say he‘s a small forward only and can’t play anything else - I said he‘s the prototypical perfect modern small forward from a physical and from a skillset point of view. 

And even more so for the Mavs, who want to win with defense, athleticism and size.

[khaled1987]

Me neither - if Flagg isn’t a prototypical small forward with his measurements and skillset then who is?

I don't think he is exclusively a PF, although I think he is better there, as PF now is more of a big SF IMHO.

I am, however, having a problem believing AD is a PF, at least in a modern day NBA. 

I just think AD, Flagg and a C in the same lineup isn't the best fit to get the best put of any of them.

[david75090]

I didn’t say he‘s a small forward only and can’t play anything else - I said he‘s the prototypical perfect modern small forward from a physical and from a skillset point of view. 

And even more so for the Mavs, who want to win with defense, athleticism and size.

I think he's an 18 year old who's probably still growing. IMO, it's a little too early to pigeon-hole him into any one role. "Prototypical" and "perfect" are in the eye of the beholder.

[cow]

IMO, it's a little too early to pigeon-hole him into any one role.

So he's not #1 in our hearts  

[loki]

I don't think he is exclusively a PF, although I think he is better there, as PF now is more of a big SF IMHO.

I am, however, having a problem believing AD is a PF, at least in a modern day NBA. 

I just think AD, Flagg and a C in the same lineup isn't the best fit to get the best put of any of them.

Agreed. A Flagg/PJ/AD lineup makes so much more sense to me. Hopefully seeing the Cavs flame out will make Nico think twice about emulating them.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

I didn’t say he‘s a small forward only and can’t play anything else - I said he‘s the prototypical perfect modern small forward from a physical and from a skillset point of view. 

And even more so for the Mavs, who want to win with defense, athleticism and size.

Kawhi, Tatum, Durant, etc are more 4s than 3s in the modern NBA.

Flagg coming into the league has less of an offensive game but is a much better rim protector than any of them. You’re not utilizing his rim protection having him chase around perimeter players.

[Winter]

Kawhi, Tatum, Durant, etc are more 4s than 3s in the modern NBA.

Flagg coming into the league has less of an offensive game but is a much better rim protector than any of them. You’re not utilizing his rim protection having him chase around perimeter players.

I think every player in today's NBA has to chase around perimeter players. Even centers. 

I think you have to play Flagg situationally, and the rotations may have to sort themselves out.

[KillerLeft]

I think every player in today's NBA has to chase around perimeter players. Even centers. 

This is so true, and why the Mavs have such an advantage headed into next season with BOTH Davis and Lively as options at the 5. I'd venture an undercooked guess that no other team can match that as a defensive foundation. 

Flagg counts as a modern defender with length who can hold up in a variety of situations, too, as does PJW, if it's in the cards for him to continue playing here.

[SleepingHero]

@TheDunkCentral
The Sixers are reportedly open to trade offers for the No. 3 overall pick, per @Sam_Vecenie

[Mavs2021]

@TheDunkCentral
The Sixers are reportedly open to trade offers for the No. 3 overall pick, per @Sam_Vecenie

Just for future recording. I´m a huge Edgecombe fan boy. I think he´ll become the Bahamas top player that Ayton was supposed to be.

[FireNicoHarrison]

@TheDunkCentral
The Sixers are reportedly open to trade offers for the No. 3 overall pick, per @Sam_Vecenie

Street clothes for #3+Maxey

[david75090]

This is so true, and why the Mavs have such an advantage headed into next season with BOTH Davis and Lively as options at the 5. I'd venture an undercooked guess that no other team can match that as a defensive foundation. 

Flagg counts as a modern defender with length who can hold up in a variety of situations, too, as does PJW, if it's in the cards for him to continue playing here.

There are those trying to say Flagg is a SF, only. Prototypical even.

[Mavs2021]

Maluach was bottom 5 in every athletics test at the draft camp 

I watched three minutes of highlights and said he moves like Thabeet/Oden. 

I saw three minutes of highschool highlights of Anthony Edwards and I said the Mavs should tank the whole season, if Silver guaranteed them the #1 pick. 

So to calm you all down, I saw three minutes of Flagg highschool highlights, when he was 15/16 ish, and I said next KD,best White American since Larry Bird. His lateral movement at the combine at his height. He´ll defend PGs no problem.

[Chicagojk]

Take the combine workouts with a grain of salt. Really don’t tell you much. I have had trouble jumping in in Demin. Thought he does t handle the ball enough or lacks some quickness to be a point. If so, may be a Joe Ingles player. He shot the ball really well at the combine. If it all works out, he would be really interesting with our new team. 6’9 guard. Good passer. Great size.

https://youtu.be/2QtNpEKCVZA?si=kD2QTQkxEUwQLuYA

[Knutsen]

There are those trying to say Flagg is a SF, only. Prototypical even.

So do I have to correct you a second time, Sir? I never said a small forward ONLY - I said he has prototypical size and skills for a perfect small forward, especially on a team that wants to win with defense, athleticism and size (and traded a top 3 player for 50 cents on the dollar for that reason).

In no way, shape or form did I say he can’t become a great power forward or even small ball center or maybe a big shooting guard or point forward or whatever. 

So let‘s just look at a matchup with Oklahoma, who will be the team to beat in the next years - would you prefer him matching up with Chet Holmgren or Jalen Williams? 

I‘d prefer AD dominating Holmgren physically and Cooper neutralizing Williams.

[khaled1987]

Agreed. A Flagg/PJ/AD lineup makes so much more sense to me. Hopefully seeing the Cavs flame out will make Nico think twice about emulating them.

I am hoping for AD trade, as I actually think Flagg actually makes him even more movable tbh, if we can snatch a long term Robin for Flagg, I would do it in a heartbeat. I just don't see Kyrie as a factor next season and by the time he is ready both him and AD will be too old IMHO. Never mind AD consistent desire to be PF, which is what he was brought to be. 


But as it has been previously mentioned, AD will be the hill that Nico willing to die onto. 

For that Gafford will be more expandable than PJW. Copper-AD in the frontcourt with Kyrie and Klay/Max then either PJW or another guard/wing depending on how it works.

[Winter]

I continue to think - for no educated reason really - that the Mavs will be interested in playing in this year's draft outside just Flagg. Nico may be interested in trying to resurrect whatever reputation he used to have, but it also might make sense in terms of team contracts. Grab a player in the 1st or 2 round in a trade and do some contract clean-up. There a lot of possibilities I think without imagining a bunch of roster movements and fake trades.

You can do two things at once - get a veteran guard in a trade outside the draft, and grab someone in the draft to help you long-term.

[Chicagojk]

I continue to think - for no educated reason really - that the Mavs will be interested in playing in this year's draft outside just Flagg. Nico may be interested in trying to resurrect whatever reputation he used to have, but it also might make sense in terms of team contracts. Grab a player in the 1st or 2 round in a trade and do some contract clean-up. There a lot of possibilities I think without imagining a bunch of roster movements and fake trades.

You can do two things at once - get a veteran guard in a trade outside the draft, and grab someone in the draft to help you long-term.

I think that is possible.  A competant front office should have been scouting guards in the late lottery/mid first range for months.    If they really like a few guys it would help even out the roster and also add a piece moving forward...even if they signed a veteran guard as a stop gap.

[myconsumerclub]

Really want to keep Gafford and PJ after going through a year where we lost so many players to injury I really want as many healthy contributors as possible. How many games is AD going to miss that we would be wise to play PJ there. Sure Cooper can take those minutes but then who is playing SF? I would love to get someone to replace Irvings missed minutes but lets try that without trading away good players we may need. To get a Gafford you need to pay more than normal ditto PJ these are proven players that produce points and rebounds hard to find guys that can help win games and have been to the freaking finals. I would only trade them if they were paying us very well for their services.

I want to add Brown and trade Powell. I also want Kai Jones to play 3rd string PF since he can also play the 5. Now you have backups for the situation when Lively Gafford and AD are all injured at the same time. If Cooper can play SF he is our best defender that can guard any position and that is the place to start for someone like that.
Klay and Brandon Williams is a good option at the 1 and 2. MAX and Hardy off the bench works as well.

Martin and Powell are garbage to trade off. Exum and Din can walk unless if we need to keep one of them because you cannot find a PG to back up Williams. Exum would be my choice to keep.

Irving Williams Exum or ______________
Klay Max Hardy
Cooper PJ Naji
AD KAI OMAX
Lively Gafford Brown

Now if we Can get a pick in this draft I prefer to add younger talent from this draft than to bring back guys who we gave 2 way contracts so if we can add a 2nd round pick in an early trade there is a need to add more talent in Coopers timeline so I would pursue some youth to grow up with Cooper.