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8 hours ago
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Anthony Davis Shares Cooper Flagg Comments After Mavericks' Draft
Anthony Davis Shares Cooper Flagg Comments After Mavericks' Draft originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Dallas Mavericks pulled off an epic coup on Wednesday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Advertisement With just a 1.8% chance of landing the top pick, they selected Duke phenom Cooper Flagg first overall in the 2025 NBA draft. Moments after the selection was official, Dallas released a video of former no. 1 pick and Mavs' center Anthony Davis welcoming the newest no. 1 pick. "From one number one overall pick to another, congratulations, man. Big accomplishment. Welcome to Dallas. Excited to have you. Enjoy tonight with you and the fam," said Davis. "We're going to get some work in soon, but enjoy this night with your fam. Stay safe, and we'll see you in Dallas, champ." Flagg exploded onto the national scene at Duke, collecting nearly every major accolade available to a freshman, including consensus National Player of the Year, ACC Player of the Year, First-Team All-American and multiple freshman honors. Advertisement During his lone season with the Blue Devils, he averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.4 steals per game, leading the program in each category. At just 18 years old, he arrives in Dallas with high expectations, poised to help a Mavericks team ready to compete right away. Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison (left) with Mavericks' first overall pick Cooper Flagg (right).Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Davis, originally taken No. 1 overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in 2012, spent seven seasons with the Pelicans before being packaged to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2019. He won an NBA championship in 2020 with the Lakers and has earned 10 All-Star selections, five All-NBA nods and five All-Defensive honors in 13 seasons. Advertisement In a blockbuster midseason trade in February, Davis was flipped to Dallas in exchange for superstar Luka Doncic, marking the first time two reigning All-NBA teammates were traded for each other midseason. Related: Warriors Turn Heads With Steph Curry Post on Monday Related: Ben Simmons Update Announced After Clippers Issue Big Demand This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
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19 hours ago
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Mavericks' Jason Kidd eager to let Cooper Flagg run the show: 'I want to put him at the point guard'
Cooper Flagg will give the world its first sneak peek at his NBA career when the Dallas Mavericks face off against the Los Angeles Lakers on July 10 in the league's annual Las Vegas Summer League. When that happens, Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd wants his No. 1 overall pick running the show. Advertisement "I'm excited about giving him the ball against the Lakers and see what happens," Kidd said Friday during Flagg's introductory press conference in Dallas. "Let's get it started, right off the bat." Flagg is a do-it-all forward, the 6-foot-9 kind who led a 35-win Duke team in all five major statistical categories as a freshman this past season. While earning Naismith National Player of the Year honors, he averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. The Maine native was the main event at this year's NBA Draft, as he became the youngest draftee to go first overall since LeBron James in 2003. But Kidd is struck by Flagg's maturity. "Just sitting here listening to him, isn't it incredible?" Kidd said Friday. "I mean, we're talking about an 18-year-old who has all the right answers and is talking about working out after this. But when you talk about his gift, he's a basketball player. And he's a winner." Advertisement Flagg is poised to keep winning games in bunches at the NBA level, and that's an opportunity few No. 1 overall picks have enjoyed their first season in the league. Even though the Mavericks had a mere 1.8% chance of winning this year's NBA Draft Lottery, they scored the No. 1 pick. In the process, Dallas — which saw its injury-riddled 2024-25 season end in the Western Conference's final play-in game — became the fourth-longest shot to ever win the draft lottery. In other words, a year removed from making the NBA Finals, and months after sending shockwaves throughout the league when they traded now-former franchise centerpiece Luka Dončić to the Lakers, the Mavericks snuck into the lottery and came out with the top pick. Advertisement As expected, that pick became Flagg, who eventually will be joined by the likes of Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson. Those three are all at least 32 years old, but they have a combined six NBA championships and 24 All-Star appearances. "I think it's a blessing," Flagg said. A lot of people in this position or this situation aren't granted this opportunity. So I just feel really blessed and grateful for the situation I've been given." He continued: "I'm just looking forward to being a sponge. Just getting down here, I'm excited to just learn, soak it all in and learn from the guys that are older and have been through it all before." Kidd was also drafted by the Mavericks, but back in 1994 when Dallas had the No. 2 overall pick after a 13-69 season. The now-fifth-year Mavericks head coach reflected on his own rookie season Friday, noting how he didn't have as many veterans to lean on at the time. Advertisement No player on Dallas' end-of-season 1994-95 roster had more than six years of NBA experience, according to Sports Reference. Experience is one thing, a collection of Hall of Fame résumés is another. Flagg is surrounded by both. DALLAS, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 03: Kyrie Irving #11 and Klay Thompson #31 of the Dallas Mavericks celebrate after a score during the second half against the Orlando Magic at American Airlines Center on November 03, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by) (Sam Hodde via Getty Images) "He's very lucky to have veterans, future Hall of Famers," Kidd said. "When you talk about Ky and Klay and then AD, just understanding the vets are going to protect him and help him. And they're going to push him." Kidd added: "So I think when he's stepping into this situation, there's no better situation for him to learn the game, on and off the floor." Advertisement Even with all of that talent at his side, Flagg isn't expected to take a back seat. Kidd wants him to do a bit of everything. "I think it's a versatile position, doing a lot of different things," Flagg said, when asked about where on the court he'll be playing. "With the team, looking at the roster, we can play a really good brand of positionless basketball with a lot of guys that can do a lot of different things. I think that would be one of [our] biggest strengths, and I think just trying to play to that and just doing whatever I can to help the team win." Kidd said Flagg answered that question perfectly. "Because I don't look at the position," Kidd said. The former 10-time All-Star point guard went on: "I want to put him at the point guard. I want to make him uncomfortable and see how he reacts, being able to run the show." Kidd acknowledged that he'll have Flagg play the 2 and the 3 as well, and it's reasonable to expect him to spend some time at the 4, too. Those positions, though, are comfortable for Flagg, Kidd pointed out. Advertisement "We want to push," Kidd said of Flagg playing some point guard. "And I think he's going to respond in a positive way. It's alright to fail. It's alright to turn the ball over. We've talked about that." The first season of Kidd's four-year stint as the Milwaukee Bucks' head coach was forward Giannis Antetokounmpo's second season in the NBA. Kidd recalled Antetokounmpo — now a nine-time All-Star and one-time NBA champion — failing when he was first given a chance to run point. "But he wanted to come back and have the ball," Kidd said of a young Antetokounmpo. Kidd is confident Flagg will be the same way.
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a day ago
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2025 NBA Draft: Picks and grades for every team that selected
The Dallas Mavericks took Duke star Cooper Flagg at No. 1 overall as expected, and a whole host of picks changed hands over the two days of the NBA Draft. The Utah Jazz took a gamble by selecting Ace Bailey at No. 5, Duke had three players go in the top 10, and the Brooklyn Nets did, in fact, use all five of their first-round picks. Advertisement How did your team grade out? We've got you covered. Jump to a division or team section by clicking on the links below Eastern Conference Western Conference (Mallory Bielecki/Yahoo Sports illustration) Eastern Conference Atlantic Division Boston Celtics Grade: A Draft pick Rd 1, Pk. 28: W Hugo González, Real Madrid Rd 2, Pk. 16: B Amari Williams, Kentucky Rd 2, Pk. 27: G Max Shulga, VCU González fits nicely in the Celtics' culture. He plays hard, but is more than a hustler and strong defender. He's a high-motor wing with great defensive tools and a slashing style on offense. If his jumper and handle develop, he could be a versatile two-way starter, though he didn't get a lot of playing time overseas. Williams is a massive, smart-passing center with good instincts around the rim and legitimate size to defend the paint. These playmaking instincts make him a nice fit for Boston's offensive system. But while he develops as a two-way player for Boston, he needs to add perimeter mobility to defend in the modern game. Advertisement Shulga is a poised, versatile shooter with a passing feel. But he's a jack of all trades with no great strengths and a below-average athlete with no clear NBA position. Boston's positionless style could end up being a good thing for him since he'll largely be asked to stroke 3s. New York Knicks Grade: C+ Draft pick Rd 2, Pk. 21: B Mohamed Diawara, Cholet Basket Diawara has physical dimensions that you can't teach with a 7-foot-4 wingspan that highlights his massive frame. But he also hasn't produced much in his overseas career, meaning the Knicks are just taking a big swing at this point of the draft rather than going with one of the players who projects more realistically as a role player. Toronto Raptors Grade: A Draft picks Rd 1, Pk. 9: F Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina Rd 2, Pk. 9: W Alijah Martin, Florida Advertisement Murray-Boyles has a chance to be one of the steals of this draft, so I can see why the Raptors took a big, big swing on him. He operates like a defensive savant the way he locks down every position, uses his ninja-quick hands to swipe at the ball, and inhales rebounds. He's the closest prospect to Draymond Green because he's such a special defensive presence, and offensively he's a finisher with a playmaking feel. Improving his jumper would move him out of tweener territory and into All-Star status, and ultimately that's the big question for him in Toronto. Can he fit next to Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram? Martin is a hyper-athletic, high-energy guard who plays bigger than his size and impacts the game with his toughness, rebounding and defensive grit. But his positional tweener status, streaky shooting, and limited creation ability made him a second-round talent. Still, Martin just knows how to ball. Brooklyn Nets Grade: B+ Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 8: G Egor Demin, BYU Rd. 1, Pk. 19: G Nolan Traoré, Saint-Quentin BB Rd. 1, Pk. 22: W Drake Powell, North Carolina Rd. 1, Pk. 26: G Ben Saraf (Ratiopharm Ulm) Rd. 1, Pk. 27: B Danny Wolf (Michigan) Advertisement If you have lots of picks, some have to hit ... right? This is undoubtedly a huge swing for the Nets here. Demin has a rare ability at his size to make dazzling passes, which would give Brooklyn a jumbo-sized ball handler. But he's also struggled to shoot and create his own shot against lengthy defenders, making him more of a love-him or hate-him prospect than a sure thing. Whether he becomes a point guard in the NBA will depend on the development of his jumper. The upside for Demin: he has time to develop, and doesn't have to fit right away. Traoré is the fastest player in this draft class. This is a good situation for him because it's a clean slate roster. The best comparison is an early version of Dejounte Murray. All speed, but inefficient shooting across the floor. Powell has a chiseled frame that he uses to barrel into defenders at the rim and to contain opponents when he's on defense. He's a switch-everything defender who plays with a high motor, and if his spot-up jumper translates he checks all the boxes to be a 3-and-D role player at a minimum for the Nets. Advertisement Saraf is a crafty lefty playmaker who relies on guile, footwork and body control. Limited shooting and athleticism could cap his upside, but his positional size and skill could be hard to pass up. Wolf's a unique, funky ball-handler. It's clear in the Nets' draft that they want players of all sizes to be able to handle the rock. Wolf is 6-foot-11 but ran point for Michigan, playing a slick style with risky passes and step-back jumpers that made him a highlight factory. But he's also a turnover machine and his shooting numbers are shaky, making him more of a raw bet who needs time to prove he can match his flash with substance. Philadelphia 76ers Grade: A- Draft picks: Rd. 1, Pk. 3: W VJ Edgecombe, Baylor Rd. 2, Pk. 5: B Johni Broome, Auburn Advertisement Edgecombe makes total sense for the Sixers. He is an explosive, high-motor wing who flies out of nowhere for poster dunks and chase-down blocks. He pairs his elite athleticism with a knockdown, spot-up jumper and fearless slashing. Though he needs to improve his shot creation to become more of a primary creator, the Sixers have enough in that department as is, so Edgecombe should get time to develop on his own timeline. Could Broome be the best backup center of the Joel Embiid era? Perhaps so, because he brings a ready-made game as an interior finisher with a passing feel and tone-setting defense. Though his jumper hasn't progressed as much as NBA teams would hope, Embiid's ability to space the floor could make for intriguing two-big lineups this season. In Philadelphia, it's more important that Broome progresses moving laterally on the perimeter. Central Division Cleveland Cavaliers Grade: B Draft picks Rd. 2, Pk. 19: G Tyrese Proctor, Duke Rd. 2, Pk. 28: W Saliou Niang, Dolomiti Energia Trento Advertisement Proctor might be Cleveland's Ty Jerome replacement, since Jerome is an unrestricted free agent. Proctor is a tall combo guard with great passing vision who was expected to go one-and-done, but he took until his junior year to look ready for the NBA. He sharpened his jumper and became an even better defender, making him an appealing short-term piece for the Cavaliers. Niang is a high-energy wing with the athleticism to finish at the rim and make a versatile defensive impact. But he's incredibly raw physically and needs to improve both his shooting and decision-making to ever become a key figure on the Cavaliers. Indiana Pacers Grade: B Draft picks Rd. 2, Pk. 8: G Kam Jones, Marquette Rd. 2, Pk. 25: G Taelon Peter, Liberty Advertisement Tyrese Haliburton will be out for all of next season, but Jones could help handle some of the shot-creation responsibilities. Jones offers crafty combo guard skills with advanced shot creation and a blossoming playmaking feel. But his so-so athleticism and streaky shooting paint him as just a cog rather than the rare star upperclassmen set to enter the league. Peter is a true sleeper who played three seasons in Division II at Arkansas Tech before transferring to Liberty, where he led the NCAA in true shooting percentage. He's a knockdown shooter from 3, and a crafty finisher around the rim. He wasn't expected to get drafted after not receiving an invite to any pre-draft competitions, yet here he is going to the Pacers. Milwaukee Bucks Grade: A+ Draft picks Rd. 2, Pk. 17: F Bogoljub Marković, Mega Basket Advertisement Marković was a first-rounder on my personal big board, so I consider him a steal at this point of the draft. And he makes sense for the Bucks, regardless of what happens with Giannis Antetokounmpo since he's a high upside stretch forward who also offers skill as a passer and post scorer. But to handle the rigors of the NBA and become a positive defender, Marković needs to add a ton of muscle, so he'd benefit from being draft-and-stashed for another year. Detroit Pistons Grade: A+ Draft picks Rd. 2, Pk. 7: W Chaz Lanier, Tennessee Perfect pick for Detroit. Wanna know why? Just look at the comparison for Lanier: Malik Beasley. Much like Beasley, Lanier is a knockdown shooter with shot-making creativity. Without great size or playmaking at his age, he's a second-rounder for good reason. But the Pistons needed more shooting and now they got it. Chicago Bulls Grade: B Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 12: F Noa Essengue, Ratiopharm Ulm Rd. 2, Pk. 25: B Lachlan Olbrich, Illawarra Hawks Advertisement A lot of people thought Essengue would go No. 7 or No. 8. Downhill attacking is his biggest asset. He went from someone to hack and put on the free-throw line to an improved FT shooter. He was was also a 3-point shooting liability who improved from there as well. Sometimes he looks like Giannis Antetokounmpo with the way he unfolds his long arms for scoop layups. Plus, he lives at the line: he had seven games with more than 10 free throws. Olbrich is a high-motor Aussie big who projects as a screen-and-dive reserve and plays with a tone-setting level of toughness that could keep him in a rotation. Good for the Bulls to find another guy with these qualities after acquiring Noa Essengue with their lottery pick. Southeast Division Orlando Magic Grade: B Draft picks Rd 1., Pk. 25: G Jase Richardson, Michigan State Rd 2., Pk. 2: F Noah Penda, Le Mans Sarthe Basket Advertisement Richardson ends up with the same team his father, Jason Richardson, played part his career for. The younger Richardson is a skilled combo guard with a lethal midrange game and a poised pick-and-roll feel, looking like he downloaded the experience of his NBA veteran father. Jase didn't inherit his father's height or dunk contest athleticism though, so his smaller stature could cap his upside. Penda plays with a veteran's mind and a winning mentality, offering connective playmaking, switchable defense and high-level feel. It's a bit of a risk for Orlando though since Penda needs to improve his jumper to shine on the long-term. But his unselfish game and defensive utility give him a strong foundation to build on. Atlanta Hawks Grade: A+ Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 23: G Asa Newell, Georgia Advertisement It feels like a foundation is starting to build in Atlanta. Newell is a modern big who can pair nicely with the Hawks' pair of wings. If they keep Trae Young, he's got a lob threat with Newell, who is a dunk machine. This looks like a perfect prospect/team match. Even though he needs to improve his fouling habits, his energetic style is overall a positive on defense. The real question is what he becomes offensively: Will he ever develop his jumper? Or is he just a finisher? Miami Heat Grade: D+ Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 26: G Kasparas Jakučionis, Illinois The Heat were probably hoping for Walter Clayton Jr. with this pick. For every beautiful assist Jakučionis had as a freshman, there's an equally ugly bone-headed turnover. He had 11 games this past season with more turnovers than made shots. As a primary creator, he's not a Tyrese Haliburton type. Think more along the lines of Spencer Dinwiddie; he's one of your guys on the roster, but he's not the guy. Charlotte Hornets Grade: B Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 4: W Kon Knueppel, Duke Rd. 1, Pk. 29: W Liam McNeeley, Connecticut Rd. 2, Pk. 3: W Sion James, Duke Rd. 2, Pk. 4: Big Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton Advertisement Knueppel has a sharpshooter's stroke, brainy pick-and-roll playmaking, and crafty scoring feel. He's the type of player who can come in right away and fit on any team, including perfectly between LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. He's got a slick midrange bag and strength scoring inside, but to become a player who takes over games he'll need to overcome his average athleticism, particularly shooting off the dribble. This would matter a bit less playing in Charlotte, since he could be one of multiple ball-handlers on the team. McNeeley is a sharpshooting wing with superb instincts moving without the ball, and the touch to splash from deep ranges. Though he doesn't project as a primary shot creator, his feel as a connective passer gives him the skill to fit into any type of offense, including Charlotte's. Fans who happen to root for both Duke and Charlotte know that James has role-player qualities that can fit next to the Hornets' core pieces. James is a versatile defender who sets a tone with his hustle, and after years of laying bricks he worked hard to become a dead-eye, spot-up shooter. A ton of teams were hoping that Kalkbrenner would fall to them in the second round, but the Hornets land him here after trading away center Mark Williams on Day 1 of this draft. Kalkbrenner is a throwback 7-footer who owns the paint, swatting shots with his giant wingspan and dunking everything in sight. It's a bit strange he isn't a better rebounder. Washington Wizards Grade: A Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 6: G Tre Johnson, Texas Rd. 1, Pk. 21: F Will Riley, Illinois Rd. 2, Pk. 13: W Jamir Watkins, Florida St. Advertisement Johnson is a clutch shot-maker who can catch fire from all over the floor, drilling step-backs and off-screen jumpers with ease. The Wizards are getting the best overall shooter in the class. He made 40.8% of catch-and-shoot 3s, over 50% of 3s off screens and 38.4% of dribble jumper 3s. But he needs to continue developing his point guard skills while also honing his shot selection since only 17% of his shots came at the rim in the half court. Plus, he must dramatically improve his defense to show he's more than just a one-way player. I'm not Riley's biggest fan. He's not a great athlete or a great shooter yet. He has a very lean frame. "What's he going to be?" was the common question I heard from scouts when talking about Riley's evaluation. He does have dynamic driving ability and playmaking instincts that scream upside as a jumbo-sized, shot-creating wing. Watkins can run the show, slash to the paint and switch across positions on defense. In Washington, as long as he continues to set a tone on defense he could become a vital role player. Western Conference Pacific Division Los Angeles Lakers Grade: A Draft pick Rd. 2, Pk. 6: F Adou Thiero, Arkansas Advertisement The Lakers made multiple aggressive trades to move up within the second round, and Thiero was the perfect target. He's a slasher with a jacked frame and an explosive first step who last season logged 45 dunks and had six games with 10 or more free throws. He lives in the paint, and that's despite his limitations as a shooter. If he's able to figure out the shot then his length and defensive versatility could make him a key player on a contending Lakers team. Los Angeles Clippers Grade: A Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 30: B Yanic Konan Niederhauser, Penn State Rd. 2, Pk. 20: W Kobe Sanders, Nevada Big swing here. Niederhauser is a little bit of a late bloomer, so maybe he's more than a lob-threat center. Konan Niederhauser is an elite athlete who lives above the rim as a finisher and shot blocker, and he displays some intriguing upside as a 7-foot shot creator. But he needs to improve his fundamentals to make it all click. Advertisement Sanders is a skilled, oversized wing initiator with excellent feel, so he can play the Ben Simmons role for the Clippers. But he actually has an ability to hit some shots off the dribble. He's limited by a lack of athleticism, but his size, touch and passing acumen give him a chance to stick in the NBA. Golden State Warriors Grade: B Draft picks Rd. 2, Pk. 22: F Alex Toohey, Sydney Kings Rd. 2, Pk. 26: G Will Richard, Florida Landing with the Warriors is probably a best-case scenario for Toohey since he's a jack-of-all-trades forward who grinds on defense and loves to dish the ball around. Playing in Golden State's motion could only amplify the Australian's best talents. But his scoring comes and goes with his streaky jumper since he's not someone who generates many of his own shots. Becoming a more reliable shooter will be the key for Toohey to carve out a consistent role for the Warriors. Advertisement Richard was a key player in Florida's run to the national championship behind his energetic defense and versatile shooting ability off the dribble. In the same way he shared creation responsibilities with Alijah Martin and Walter Clayton Jr., he projects as a strong fit for the Warriors, provided he can find consistency shooting off the catch. Sacramento Kings Grade: A+ Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 24: F Nique Clifford, Colorado State Rd. 2, Pk. 12: B Maxime Raynaud, Stanford Clifford was a late bloomer in high school and in college. Once his jumper clicked, his game took off. He's not a point guard for the Kings, but he'll be a playmaker. He's a tough-as-nails wing who does it all and could fill a number of different roles as a plug-and-play option. He defends multiple positions, crashes the boards, and scores from everywhere. But as a super senior with only Mountain West pedigree, he lacks experience against high level competition despite his age. Advertisement Raynaud leveled up every year at Stanford, turning into a player who pops 3s, slashes to the rim with a smooth handle and makes eye-popping passes. He was ranked 15th on my board, making him a steal in my eyes here for the Kings. He fell to this point in the draft because of his age and concerns about his defense. Still, if he can figure out that end of the floor there's little reason to think the Frenchman won't carve out an NBA role. Phoenix Suns Grade: A Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 10: B Khaman Maluach, Duke Rd. 2, Pk. 1: F Rasheer Fleming, Saint Joseph's Rd. 2, Pk. 11: W Koby Brea, Kentucky Maluach was the highest upside player available on the board. He's a towering rim protector with switchable mobility, erasing shots at the rim and shadowing quick guards on the perimeter. He logged only 1.3 blocks per game but deterred opponents from even sniffing the basket. Beyond dunking lobs at a frequent rate, he's a work in progress on offense with a lack of seasoning as a screener, shooter and creator. Such a raw skill set should come as no surprise since the South Sudan native didn't start playing basketball until he was 13. Maluach's upside has him ranked in the top two or three on some team draft boards, and perhaps that was the case for the Suns. Advertisement Fleming is a hustler who drains spot-up jumpers and brings energy on defense, swatting shots and snagging boards. But he has some real warts as a ball-handler with a lack of experience against high-level competition, so the Suns must feel confident in his ability to translate to the NBA. Brea drilled 43.4% of his 3s over five college seasons on 4.9 attempts per game; he projects as a shooting specialist who has a clear path to becoming a rotation player because of his highly sought skill. In order to avoid being a weak link on defense, he'll need to make improvements to his athleticism, but his shooting is enough to keep him on the floor. Southwest Division Houston Rockets Grade: Not applicable Draft picks: Zero Memphis Grizzlies Grade: A Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 11: W Cedric Coward, Washington State Rd. 2, Pk. 18: G Javon Small, West Virginia Rd. 2, Pk. 29: G Jahmai Mashack, Tennessee Advertisement What a way to replace Desmond Bane after he was traded away earlier this month. Coward has gone from a Division III player to a lottery pick in just a few years behind his rapid development into a prospect with a valued 3-and-D skill-set. He made 41% of his catch-and-shoot 3s in three DI seasons, while also developing a versatile scoring skill set with post fadeaways and midrange pull-ups. But he brings even higher upside thanks to his passing vision, versatile defense, and mature approach to the game that makes him the potential steal of the draft for the Grizzlies. Small is an undersized guard who plays bigger than his body, thanks to his excellent athleticism and gritty nature. He's a knockdown shooter off the catch and a solid lead guard, though his lack of size puts a natural cap on his upside. Consider Small a point guard who can play alongside Ja Morant, or help fill the gaps alongside Scotty Pippen Jr. if Morant misses time again. Mashack is an excellent perimeter defender who does everything in his power to win games, plus he has the length to defend some wings. He's not a primary creator and he needs to improve his jumper. But his hard-nosed defense is enough for him to receive countless chances for the new age Grit and Grind Grizzlies. Dallas Mavericks Grade: A+ Draft pick Rd. 1, Pk. 1: F Cooper Flagg, Duke Flagg is officially a Mav, and he has a chance to be great enough to win back the fans. He can help Dallas in both the short-term and long-term as a do-it-all forward who hustles like a madman, makes his teammates better as a passer and has dialed in a knockdown jumper. He's both the best offensive and defensive prospect in this draft class, making him the safest No. 1 pick in ages. As long as his jumper continues to fall like it did during his freshman year at Duke, he could play as a small forward next to Anthony Davis and another big. And with his size and versatility, he could play power forward in other lineups, too. There's no doubt he's going to produce. It's his growth as a shot creator that will decide if he reaches his All-Star floor or soars to his Hall of Fame ceiling. San Antonio Spurs Grade: A- Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 2: G Dylan Harper, Rutgers Rd. 1, Pk. 14: F Carter Bryant, Arizona If Cooper Flagg had never reclassified, Harper would be the consensus top pick with star upside because he's a big-bodied lefty combo guard who has a high floor with the skill, poise and playmaking instincts to dictate the game at his pace. Now that he'll be sharing shot-creation responsibilities in San Antonio, he'll be able to use his 6-foot-11 wingspan to greater effect on the defensive end and also utilize his bruising interior finishing as a cutter on offense. But he made only 36.8% of his catch-and-shoot 3s and just 28.7% of his dribble jumpers, so his fit with De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle is a question. San Antonio is just about the perfect fit for Carter Bryant. He hits spot-up 3s, attacks closeouts, makes the right play, and busts his ass on defense. He'll have a simple role with room to grow over the years and will be a nasty frontcourt fit with Victor Wembanyama. New Orleans Pelicans Grade: B- Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 7: G Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma Rd. 1, Pk. 13: B Derik Queen, Maryland Rd. 2, Pk. 10: W Micah Peavy, Georgetown Fears is a dynamic guard with a twitchy attacking style and a knack for coming through as a clutch shooter. He's the best ball handler in this draft class, giving him a runway to become New Orleans' long-term primary shot-creator. But he was one of college basketball's youngest freshmen, and it showed with his shaky decision-making as a shooter and passer. So he needs time to grow. All that said, he's a lottery pick because he has a feel for shot creation and a handle that lets him get anywhere on the floor, so he may only need time to emerge as a star. Conditioning is a concern for Queen. New Orleans is not the place I'd want to end up. He's got to figure out the jump shot as well. Unless he improves defensively, he could also be a matchup problem on that end of the floor. Queen is a burly big with guard-like handles who dazzles with spin moves, and crafty finishes. Peavy is a switchable wing stopper with NBA-ready defense, instincts and passing feel. Pair him with Herb Jones and Trey Murphy, and the Pelicans could have quite the trio of gritty wing defenders. If his improved jumper proves as real as it seemed during his senior season, he's a rotation-level player for a decade. Northwest Division Oklahoma City Thunder Grade: A Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 15: B Thomas Sorber, Georgetown Rd. 2, Pk. 14: W Brooks Barnhizer, Northwestern I think Sorber was the best overall big in this draft class who moved up to that spot late in the talent evaluation process. Sorber has a brick-house frame and the throwback skill set to match with strong screens, soft-touch finishes, and gritty drop-coverage instincts. But to be more than a role player, he needs to tap into the flashes he shows as a shooter while also improving his perimeter defense. As is, he's the best overall big in the draft. Barnhizer is a smart, physical wing with disruptive defensive instincts. Offensively, he needs to improve his jump shot but passes the ball and finishes at the rim at a high level. If Thunder assistant coach Chip Engelland can have as much success turning Barnhizer into a reliable shooter as he has with his past projects as a shot doctor, then the Thunder may have a second-round steal here. Denver Nuggets Grade: Not applicable Draft picks: Zero Minnesota Timberwolves Grade: C- Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 17: B Joan Beringer, Cedevita Olímpija Rd. 2, Pk. 15: B Rocco Zikarsky, Brisbane Bullets Beringer's one of the rawest projects in the entire draft. Makes you wonder what the T'wolves' plan is with the other bigs on the roster, notably Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle. Beringer dunks everything around the basket. He's a rim protector and has shown improvement in other aspects of his defense. An area he'll need to improve on is he was a hackable player you didn't fear sending to the free-throw line. He's a worker though, and wants to get better. What are the Timberwolves cooking up in the frontcourt behind Rudy Gobert? Or maybe … in place of Rudy Gobert? After Gobert was involved in trade discussions with the Suns for Kevin Durant, perhaps this is a signal that Minnesota is prepared to move on from the four-time Defensive Player of the Year. Zikarsky is a big Australian center who plays a traditional role as an interior finisher and rim protector. He doesn't offer much else at this stage of his career. Portland Trail Blazers Grade: C+ Draft pick Rd. 1, Pk. 16: B Hansen Yang, Qingdao Eagles This is the biggest shock of the draft so far. WOW. It's a fascinating pick from a fit standpoint: What does a Donovan Clingan/Hansen Yang frontcourt look like in Portland? Or are we gonna see a trade down with the Nets? Yang is a massive Chinese 7-footer who scores with old-school craft, passes well and cleans the glass. But how much his slow feet and lack of shooting range can be improved will determine whether he can stick in the pros. Utah Jazz Grade: A Draft picks Rd. 1, Pk. 5: F Ace Bailey, Rutgers Rd. 1, Pk. 18: G Waler Clayton Jr., Florida Rd. 2, Pk. 23: W John Tonje, Wisconsin Well, Bailey didn't get what he wanted by landing with the Jazz. There's a reason why he fell to No. 5. This is a huge upside swing, but Bailey is a ridiculous shot-making machine, capable of splashing contested jumpers from every spot on the floor and with the swagger of a throwback bucket-getter. He had 39 points against Indiana, 37 against Northwestern, and 30 against Penn State, showing an ability to have masterful performances in which he can't be stopped. But his raw edges as a shot creator and defender need sanding down to turn him into a full-on star. Along with Bailey, the addition of Clayton makes the Jazz look like the funnest League Pass team next season. Clayton is clutch and looked like Steph Curry at times. He's also a culture creator. I'm very intrigued with what the Ainges are doing in Utah's front office. Clayton is a fearless shooter with the versatility to take any shot at any moment, as we saw with him fueling the Gators to a national championship. Tonje will enter the NBA at age 24 with some readymade skills as an off-ball movement scorer and shooter. His athletic ceiling and defense will determine if he's more than just a backup.
The Guardian
a day ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
NBA draft: Cooper Flagg goes to Dallas Mavericks as No 1 overall pick
The Dallas Mavericks did what everyone knew they would on Wednesday when they selected Cooper Flagg as the No 1 overall pick in the NBA draft. 'I'm feeling amazing. It's a dream come true, to be honest,' Flagg said after he was selected, surrounded by his family. 'I wouldn't want to share it with anybody else.' The forward was brilliant in his single year of college basketball at Duke, which had come after he was a highly touted player in high school. When Dallas overcame long odds in this year's draft lottery to win the No 1 overall pick, there was no doubt they would go on to pick the 18-year-old from Maine. It is a move that may go some way to soothing the Mavs fanbase, who erupted in anger when the team traded superstar Luke Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in February. The 6ft 8in Flagg helped guide Duke to an NCAA Final Four appearance after averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks as a freshman. He won the Wooden Award as the nation's best college player along with taking home other honors including ACC Rookie of the Year and ACC All-Defensive Team. The Mavericks had the No 1 overall pick for the second time in franchise history. They also had the top selection in 1981, when they drafted Mark Aguirre out of DePaul. The San Antonio Spurs picked Rutgers point guard Dylan Harper with the second overall pick. Harper, son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, will play alongside French phenom Victor Wembanyama on a Spurs team that are starting to look like they could become a force in the Western Conference again after a few downs years. The 76ers then took Baylor's VJ Edgecombe, getting the first sustained burst of loud cheers of the draft from what seemed to be a number of Philadelphia fans who made the trip to Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The first two picks had long been expected, but the No 3 spot was the first one where there was intrigue. Kon Knueppel made it two Duke players in the first four picks when the Charlotte Hornets took him at No 4. Ace Bailey, who could have been in the mix to go third but declined to work out for the 76ers, ended up going at No 5 to Utah. 1) Dallas Mavericks – Cooper Flagg, forward, Duke Scouting report: Only the fourth freshman named Associated Press men's national player of the year. Led Final Four team in scoring (19.2), rebounding (7.5), assists (4.2), steals (1.4) and blocks (1.4). Shot 38.5% on 3-pointers and 84% on free throws. Ranked in 85th percentile or better in converting as the ballhandler in pick-and-rolls, post-ups and transition, according to Synergy's analytics rankings. Set Atlantic Coast Conference freshman record with 42 points against Notre Dame. Turns 19 in December. 2) San Antonio Spurs – Dylan Harper, guard, Rutgers Scouting report: Freshman lefty who thrived as scorer (19.4) and lead ballhandler with two-way potential. Notably scored 36 points against Notre Dame, then 37 a day later against then-No 9 Alabama in November. Averaged 4.0 assists and 1.4 steals. Son of former NBA guard Ron Harper. Couldn't lift Rutgers to a winning record despite playing with fellow top prospect Ace Bailey. Turned 19 in March. 3) Philadelphia 76ers – VJ Edgecombe, guard, Baylor Scouting report: Explosive athleticism stands out at both ends. Above-the-rim finisher who creates highlight-reel moments. Freshman ranked among combine leaders in max vertical leap (38.5). Must improve outside shooting consistency (34%), but had seven games with at least three made 3s. Had 11 games with three-plus steals. 4) Charlotte Hornets – Kon Knueppel, forward, Duke Scouting report: Efficient wing scorer. Made 40.6% on 3-pointers. Ranked in Synergy's 98th percentile on spot-up shooting (52.9%). Ranked sixth nationally at the foul line (91.4%). Had 10 games with at least four assists, indicating potential as secondary playmaker. ACC Tournament MVP. Lacks elite athleticism. 5) Utah Jazz – Ace Bailey, forward, Rutgers Scouting report: Versatile, athletic shotmaker with midrange and stepback skills. Streaky shooter had five January games with at least four threes for defense-stretching potential, yet also notable skids at the foul line and behind the arc. Last season's second-ranked recruit couldn't lift Rutgers to a winning record despite playing with fellow top prospect Dylan Harper. Turns 19 in August. 6) Washington Wizards – Tre Johnson, guard, Texas Scouting report: Southeastern Conference's scoring leader (19.9) who also led all Division I freshmen. Broke Kevin Durant's freshman Longhorns record with 39 points against Arkansas. Shot 39.7% on three-pointers with 12 games of at least four threes. Shot 87.1% on free throws. Needs strength on slender frame. Turned 19 in March. 7) New Orleans Pelicans – Jeremiah Fears, guard, Oklahoma Scouting report: Freshman combo guard adept at creating space. Averaged 17.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists. Attempted 6.3 free throws per game. Shot 28.4% on threes and averaged 3.4 turnovers. Must add strength. Turns 19 in October. 8) Brooklyn Nets – Egor Demin, guard/forward, BYU Scouting report: Russian playmaker with size. Averaged 5.5 assists, second among Division I freshmen. Had 15 assists against two turnovers in 54 minutes in the last two games for a Sweet 16 team. Must improve shooting (27.3% on threes, 69.5% on free throws). 9) Toronto Raptors – Collin Murray-Boyles, forward, South Carolina Scouting report: Sophomore with 7ft 1in wingspan and two-way potential. Averaged 16.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks. Thrived in halfcourt by shooting 57.9% to rank in Synergy's 88th percentile. Shooting is a concern after hitting 23.1% (9 of 39) of three-pointers and 69.5% of free throws in two seasons. 10) Houston Rockets (traded to Phoenix Suns) – Khaman Maluach, center, Duke Scouting report: Has length and size of elite rim protector and lob threat. Runs floor well and thrived in pick-and-roll chances, ranking in Synergy's 99th percentile. Still-developing offensive skillset with 71.2% shooting largely coming on dunks and putbacks. Had combine's biggest wingspan at 7ft 7.75in. Click here for every draft pick
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Duke has entire starting lineup drafted, including 3 in top 10
Three Duke players were picked in the top 10 of the NBA Draft for the second time in six years Wednesday night. The rest of their starting five was drafted a day later. Do-it-all forward Cooper Flagg, stoic shooting and playmaking wing Kon Knueppel and raw-yet-intriguing center Khaman Maluach all heard their names called early at the Barclays Center. Advertisement Unsurprisingly, Flagg went No. 1 overall to the Dallas Mavericks. But then Knueppel joined him in the top five when the Charlotte Hornets took him fourth overall. And the Houston Rockets selected Maluach with the No. 10 pick, which is part of the Kevin Durant trade, meaning Maluach will soon be playing for the Phoenix Suns. In the second round on Thursday, Duke wing Sion James went 33rd overall to join Kneuppel on the Hornets, while guard Tyrese Proctor heard his name called 49th overall. The Australian junior will be joining the best team among his cohort, the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers. That gave Duke five players selected in the 2025 Draft, two more than any other team in college basketball. And one more than Flagg's prep team. Only 3 teams have had 3 top 10 picks in an NBA Draft In 2019, the New Orleans Pelicans drafted internet-breaking forward Zion Williamson with the top pick. Two picks later, wing RJ Barrett went No. 3 overall to the New York Knicks. Cam Reddish rounded out the group, and the top 10 of that year's draft, when the wing was scooped up by the Atlanta Hawks. Advertisement Florida, notably, also had three top-10 selections in the same NBA Draft in 2007. That year, forward/center Al Horford went No. 3 to the Atlanta Hawks, forward Corey Brewer went No. 7 to the Minnesota Timberwolves and big man Joakim Noah landed with Chicago Bulls at No. 9 overall. Horford, Brewer and Noah — at the time juniors — helped Florida win back-to-back national titles in 2006-07. Williamson, Barrett and Reddish all played only one season at Duke; the same goes for the latest Blue Devils freshman trio. While the former reached the Elite Eight, the latter made it to the Final Four and, really, the doorstep of the national title game. This year's Duke team was dominant — until a certain Final Four game This year's Blue Devils squad owned the ACC, so much so they became the league's first team to post a 19-1 record in conference play since the ACC moved to a 20-game slate in 2019-20. Advertisement The last time Duke finished with only one loss in league play was the 1999-2000 season. Even when Flagg went down with an ankle injury in the ACC tournament opener, the Blue Devils survived and eventually thrived against conference competition. They erased a halftime deficit against Georgia Tech, held off a rally from upset-minded rival North Carolina and then ran away with the conference tournament title in the second half against a red-hot Louisville team. Kon Knueppel, left, and Cooper Flagg of the Duke Blue Devils celebrate in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament March 27, 2025, in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by) (Patrick Smith via Getty Images) Flagg returned for the NCAA tournament, and Duke advanced to the Final Four as a No. 1 seed. A head-scratching 9-0 Houston run in the final 35 seconds stunned the Blue Devils and bounced them from the tourney before they could play for the program's sixth national championship. Advertisement That was in April. More than two months later, Duke is in the spotlight again. This time, the Blue Devils are saying goodbye to their latest lottery picks, including their nation-leading sixth No. 1 overall NBA Draft selection. Kentucky is second on that list with three. Cooper Flagg has been the 2025 NBA Draft's top player for a long time Flagg, the youngest No. 1 overall pick since LeBron James in 2003, led Duke in all five major statistical categories this past season. Still only 18 years old, Flagg finished the season with a team-leading 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. Advertisement Flagg has been penciled in as the top pick in this year's draft ever since he reclassified into the 2024 recruiting class in August 2023. Before playing a game for Duke, the now-6-foot-9 Maine native scrimmaged against Team USA ahead of last summer's Olympics. He stayed afloat among a sea of NBA All-Stars and then got to Duke, where he earned Naismith National Player of the Year honors. Flagg had a strong supporting cast his lone season with the Blue Devils. That started with Knueppel, a 6-foot-5 wing who averaged 14.4 points per game on the year and distributed 4.7 assists per game during Duke's ACC tournament run. Knueppel shot a smooth 40.6% from 3 during the 2024-25 campaign. As for Maluach, the 7-foot-1 big man is the most green of the three — by far. Maluach hails from South Sudan, and he didn't start playing basketball until he was 13. He averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game while logging an efficient 71.2% field-goal percentage this past season. Flagg is the flag-bearer of the group, Duke's second trio in the last six years to go in the top 10 in the same NBA Draft.
