Cooper Flaggs Summer League debut gave us a glimpse of his future in Dallas. From running the offense to defending multiple positions, Point Flagg is already flashing upside even if the shots didnt fall. Its early, but the vision, poise, and potential are all very real.
From the jump, Flagg didn’t shy away from co-piloting the Mavericks’ ball-handling and playmaking duties with Ryan Nembhard. Flagg brought the ball up on the game’s first possession, calmly working through early double teams and pressure from 94 feet. The Lakers tested his handle immediately, but Flagg stayed poised, crossing half-court with control and initiating offense with purpose.
Though his first official assist didn’t come until halfway through the second quarter, when he stole the ball in traffic and delivered a crisp transition dime to Moussa Cisse for a dunk, Flagg generated several opportunities that teammates couldn’t finish. I counted at least three missed corner 3s in the first quarter alone that were created off his dribble penetration. The potential hockey assists were prevalent, too. In the end, Flagg finished with four dimes and the last one came off a nasty block that led to a transition 3.
He got downhill and read help rotations well. The jump-passes could get him in trouble down the line, but on this night he turned over the ball only once. It’s also encouraging to see that Flagg was the first read off of a defensive rebound to push the pace and tempo of the Mavericks’ offense.
Much like at Duke, Flagg showed he’s a willing and instinctual passer someone who processes the game quickly and can play point-forward without breaking rhythm. With Kyrie Irving out, the Mavericks are wisely testing his confidence. Vegas Summer League doesn’t match the intensity of the regular season, however, earning trust to initiate the offense on occasion is key for his development and the Mavs’ future. This version of “Point Flagg” might not rack up gaudy assist numbers early, but the vision and impact are unmistakably real.
Flagg had a rough shooting night finishing just 5 of 21 from the floor and missing all five of his 3-point attempts but what stood out more than the misses was his composure in taking them. He shook off some early-game jitters and got to his comfort zone near the rim and in the midrange. The problem is, the shots weren’t falling. He shot just 3 for 10 near the rim and 5 for 16 overall on 2-point field goals. Unsurprisingly, Flagg did well in transition, scoring six of his 10 points via the fast break.
His shot selection wasn’t reckless. He hunted mismatches and was aggressive from the outset to the closing buzzer. One standout play came when Flagg hit an easy turnaround middy on Bronny James.
The defense was legit. Flagg held his own after guarding multiple positions, from Bronny James to Dalton Knecht to Darius Bazley. The versatility was evident when collapsing on ball-handlers, as he maintained active hands in the frontcourt, creating loose balls that led to turnovers. He ended the night with three steals and a block.
All that said, there were notable struggles when he met any physicality on the glass or attempted to finish through contact. Racking up six boards was cool, but he looked timid at times, and that’s something that only experience can combat.
We have to remember it’s his first professional game. Given the pressure and stakes, there were some positive developments mixed in with areas of opportunity, like any rookie in the NBA. Now we hope and pray we’ll get to see him in action the rest of the weekend.