Dallas Basketball

Cooper Flagg's fit with Dallas Mavericks questioned

The Dallas Mavericks may need to make adjustments once Cooper Flagg is on board.

Jeremy Brener

Mar 27, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after a play during the first half against the Arizona Wildcats during an East Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Mar 27, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after a play during the first half against the Arizona Wildcats during an East Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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The Dallas Mavericks are less than two weeks away from having the opportunity to select Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft.

Flagg is clearly the top selection in this year's draft class, and there shouldn't be any debate in regards to taking him with the No. 1 overall pick.

However, The Athletic insider Zach Harper questioned his fit with the team on offense.

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Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg walks off the court after losing to the Houston Cougars
Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg walks off the court after losing to the Houston Cougars. / Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Flagg has awkward offensive fit with Mavs

"He was always going to be the No. 1 pick, and not even Nico Harrison would pick anybody except him with the top selection, especially after the year Harrison has endured (self-inflicted, of course)," Harper wrote.

"Flagg is clearly the top prospect in this draft and the most ready to play. He’ll fit in right away on defense, as I think he’ll be able to defend multiple positions. But I think he’s going to be in a logjam with the rest of the Mavs’ frontcourt. Dereck Lively II, Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, P.J. Washington and Flagg? Not to mention Naji Marshall, whose best position is small forward. That’s a great frontcourt, but you’re asking Flagg to play out of position for now."

Flagg is the kind of player to build around, so you bring him in and get the players to fit around him, not the other way around.

The Mavs have a nice core around Flagg, but they may not be the right players to put around him. Therefore, the Mavs may need to get creative or find other players that make more sense to play next to him.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several On SI sites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid and resides in Central Florida. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

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