The Dallas Mavericks selected Cooper Flagg with the first overall pick in the NBA Draft on Wednesday. The team landed the top pick in dramatic fashion, having had less than a two percent chance of securing it. Speculation had been building around the Mavericks’ interest in Flagg—especially after the team’s official website appeared to leak the pick early.
“DLLS Mavericks reporter Kevin Gray posted on X a screenshot from Mavs' official website that displayed Flagg in Dallas' white home jersey – part of a premature ‘Welcome to Dallas’ graphic that was quickly removed from the team's site,” Yahoo Sports’ Jeremy Beren wrote.
In college, Flagg wore the No. 2 jersey and built his reputation in that number. At the professional level, however, he’ll be wearing No. 32—just like he did in high school. There’s a meaningful story behind the number choice for the Flagg family.
“There's a family tie to the number choice. No. 32 is the same number Flagg's mother, Kelly, wore in high school. She wore it because Duke legend Christian Laettner was her favorite player,” CBS Sports’ Robby Kalland wrote.
Flagg takes tremendous pride in playing on both ends of the court, a trait that could elevate him into a high-level NBA player. Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd is already planning to test Flagg’s versatility by putting him at the point guard position.
“I don't look at the position. I want to put him at point guard. I want to make him uncomfortable and see how he reacts (to) being able to run the show," Kidd said. “We want to push. And I think he's going to respond in a positive way. It's all right to fail. It's all right to turn the ball over. We've talked about that.”
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With Kyrie Irving sidelined, it appears the Mavericks are ready for Flagg to lead the offense. Doing so would also make Dallas one of the tallest offensive lineups in the league. While changing positions is never easy, Flagg’s talent could make the transition a smooth one.