Cooper Flagg is in a uncommon, however lucky scenario.
Most first general draft picks are tasked with immediately turning into the No. 1 possibility of a group coming off all-time-low kinds of seasons – however Flagg received’t essentially have that burden as he joins a Dallas Mavericks group alongside seemingly future Corridor of Famers Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving.
“Lots of people on this place or this case aren’t granted this chance, so I simply really feel actually blessed and grateful for the scenario I’ve been given,” Flagg stated Friday throughout his Mavericks introductory press convention. “I’m simply wanting ahead to being a sponge. Simply getting down right here, I’m excited to only study, soak all of it in and study from the blokes which are older and have been by means of all of it earlier than.”
Dallas is recent off a 2024 NBA Finals look led by now-Laker Luka Doncic, however the Mavericks discovered themselves within the draft lottery following season-derailing accidents to Davis and Irving following the blockbuster Doncic commerce.
With only a 1.8 p.c likelihood at touchdown the No. 1 choose within the draft, the unthinkable turned actuality because the Mavericks captured Flagg.
Regardless of lacking the playoffs, the muse stays for the group to be contenders with a roster that, apart from Doncic, remained principally intact after the 2024 finals run.
Whereas Irving seemingly received’t return from his ACL damage till the again half of the season, Davis and one other future Corridor of Famer, Klay Thompson, who was added final offseason, ought to present loads of stability for Flagg to seek out his NBA footing whereas not needing to immediately tackle a colossal workload.
“These guys have a lot information,” Flagg stated of his new veteran teammates. “They’ve been by means of a lot, they usually have a lot expertise that it’s simply going to be an unimaginable alternative for me to study and develop beneath them.”
Whereas he might not be the No. 1 possibility immediately, Flagg will seemingly take the torch of the franchise that was handed first from Dirk Nowitzki to Doncic.
“I’m coming in simply making an attempt to study and making an attempt to get higher each single day,” Flagg stated. “If I can do this to one of the best of my skill, I believe expectations and pressures that different individuals will placed on me and our group, that can form of work itself out.
“So I’m simply making an attempt to come back in and be one of the best that I will be and simply win on the highest stage.”
