Mavericks' Cooper Flagg Receives Buzzworthy Kevin Garnett Take

The Dallas Mavericks secured the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft by trading Luka Dončić before last year's deadline and selected former Duke star Cooper Flagg. Flagg is anticipated to accelerate the franchise's transition from the Dončić era, possessing comparable elite potential despite Dončić's established NBA stardom.

Entering his rookie season, Flagg faces significant expectations for immediate impact. Analysts have drawn parallels between his playing style and NBA legends, including Kevin Garnett, Larry Bird, and Kawhi Leonard, though differences in skill sets are noted. If Flagg approaches their caliber, Dallas would solidify its new franchise cornerstone.

NBA analyst Chris Broussard recently claimed on "First Things First" that Flagg will surpass Garnett offensively, citing a superior scoring arsenal. Broussard emphasized, "I think he'll be a better scorer than Kevin Garnett... His offensive package is way better." Garnett averaged 17.8 points per game during his career.

Flagg validated his hype at Duke, leading the Blue Devils to the NCAA Final Four before losing to Houston. Across 37 games, he averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.4 steals while shooting 48.1% from the field and 38.5% from three-point range.