As the Dallas Mavericks prepare for the 2025 NBA Draft, questions about Duke star Cooper Flagg’s future role and potential criticisms are emerging.
On a recent episode of the “Awful Announcing Podcast,” analysts explored concerns about whether Flagg could face similar critiques regarding scoring consistency to those leveled at Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton. ESPN analyst Jay Bilas offered his perspective on how it might work out for the projected No. 1 pick.
Analysts Ask If Cooper Flagg Could Face The Same Critiques as Tyrese Haliburton
During the podcast, host Brandon Contes pointed out how people criticize Haliburton when “he doesn’t score a lot, even if he’s filling up the rest of the stat sheet.” Haliburton is often praised for his elite passing and court vision, but there’s always a group of critics who raise doubts when he’s unable to be the top scorer in games.
With Flagg projected as a versatile, two-way forward, Contes suggested he could face similar concerns. Bilas addressed this directly, saying, “The issue with Haliburton is an interesting one. When you talk about Cooper Flagg, it depends.”
Flagg’s game, unlike Haliburton’s, isn’t centered solely on facilitation. At Duke, he showcased a complete skill set with defensive capabilities, rebounding and scoring when needed.
Bilas pointed out Flagg’s adaptability, saying, “When the situation calls for him to be a scorer, he can be a scorer. But he plays a complete game, so I’m not too concerned about that, about ‘hey, you have to put up a certain number.'”
The 18-year-old Flagg is expected to be selected first overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2025 NBA Draft, which takes place June 25-26 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The Mavericks won the No. 1 pick despite having just a 1.8% chance in the draft lottery, jumping 10 spots in one of the biggest lottery surprises in NBA Draft history.
Flagg’s potential arrival in Dallas represents hope for a franchise dealing with the aftermath of trading away Luka Dončić. In February 2025, the Mavericks shocked the basketball world by trading Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick.
The move was widely criticized as one of the worst trades in NBA history and resulted in significant fan backlash, including protests and season ticket cancellations. As Bilas noted, Flagg is a player who can grow into his role.
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“He’s going to mature as he goes through his career,” he said, suggesting that Flagg’s well-rounded game could only improve over time. Unlike Haliburton, whose role as a point guard demands playmaking, Flagg’s versatility as a forward allows him to impact games in multiple ways through scoring, defending, or facilitating.
Flagg averaged 19.2 points and 7.5 rebounds per game during his lone season at Duke, leading the Blue Devils to the Final Four before falling to Houston. He earned Player of the Year honors and has been the consensus No. 1 draft prospect for most of the season.
The Mavericks worked out Flagg on June 17 and have made it clear they plan to select him with the first overall pick. Dallas currently features Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving as their cornerstone players, providing an immediate opportunity for Flagg to contribute to a competitive team while learning from established veterans.
Flagg’s combination of size, athleticism, and basketball IQ has drawn comparisons to several NBA stars, though Bilas cautioned against neat player comparisons. What sets Flagg apart, according to Bilas, is his basketball intelligence and decision-making ability. “He doesn’t chase stats. He just stacks good decisions,” the analyst observed.
The 2025 NBA Draft first round begins at 8 p.m. ET on June 25, with ABC and ESPN providing coverage. The second round takes place June 26 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. Flagg is expected to hear his name called first when Commissioner Adam Silver opens the draft proceedings.