Mark Cuban Sends Surprising Message About Mavericks' Cooper Flagg
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
The Dallas Mavericks made the move that had been long expected. Ever since the team won the NBA Draft lottery with a 1.8 percent chance, they had been expected to draft Duke star Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick.
On Wednesday night, that move happened. Flagg is now a member of the Mavericks and will be looking to help the franchise turn back into an NBA Finals contender.
After trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of the trade deadline last year, landing Flagg was a major stroke of luck. Nico Harrison has been given a second chance to get things right.
US basketball player Cooper Flagg (R) shakes hands with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being selected first overall by the Dallas Mavericks during the opening round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center in...
US basketball player Cooper Flagg (R) shakes hands with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being selected first overall by the Dallas Mavericks during the opening round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on June 25, 2025. More
Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images
Now, the question becomes, how will Dallas use Flagg?
Read more: Report: Rockets Could Make Second Trade After Kevin Durant Deal
During his college career with the Blue Devils, Flagg played forward. However, in the NBA, it's possible that the Mavericks could look to play him at another position.
That is exactly what minority owner Mark Cuban is wanting to see. He wants to see Flagg play point guard and plans to let head coach Jason Kidd know that.
As shared by Noah Weber of The Smoking Cuban, Cuban spoke out on the matter in a recent meetup with the press.
"I'd send a text to J-Kidd, point guard, point guard, point guard, let him bring the ball up," Cuban said.
He also said that the team is "going to have the biggest team in the NBA."
Flagg has true generational talent. Should he reach his full potential, Dallas will have a very special player on its hands. Cuban knows that and he also knows just how wide of a skill-set the 18-year-old comes with.
Read more: Jazz Receive Concerning Update Regarding Ace Bailey's Future
In the 2024-25 college basketball season with Duke, Flagg played in 37 games. He averaged 19.2 points per game to go along with 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.4 steals, while shooting 48.1 percent from the floor and 38.5 percent from three-point range.
All of that being said, it will be interesting to see what plans the Mavericks have in store for Flagg. They could look to play him at point guard or they could simply let him play his natural position of forward.
Regardless of where they play him, Flagg is going to be one of the most watched players in the NBA during the upcoming 2025-26 season.
For more on the Dallas Mavericks and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
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