Cooper Flagg showcases his exceptional skills in the Summer League.
Cooper Flagg, the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, showcased his talent by scoring 31 points in the Las Vegas Summer League despite the Mavericks’ loss. His performance marked a significant improvement over his debut game, where he only managed 10 points. Flagg’s growth was evident as he displayed better efficiency, assisting and rebounding well while keeping turnovers low. The Mavericks plan to manage his playtime moving forward to ensure his development continues smoothly as he transitions to the NBA.
In the game against the Spurs, Flagg displayed notable scoring ability, tallying 31 points—the highest scored by a No. 1 pick in the Las Vegas Summer League since John Wall in 2010. This performance marked a considerable improvement from his Summer League debut, where he scored only 10 points on a 5-for-21 shooting effort against the Los Angeles Lakers. Flagg also contributed with six rebounds and four assists in the game against the Spurs.
Flagg’s second Summer League outing underscored growth in his offensive game, demonstrating better efficiency and more effective scoring in transition and drives to the basket. His transition play remained a consistent aspect of his on-court activity across both games. Despite the high scoring in the second game, Flagg committed only 1.5 turnovers per game, a commendable statistic considering his high usage rate.
During the Summer League, Flagg’s play was influenced by teammate Ryan Nembhard, who assumed most of the traditional point guard responsibilities, which affected Flagg’s distribution and playmaking opportunities. Nonetheless, Flagg showed improvements in offensive creation during his second game, converting more efficiently than in his debut.
Scout and analyst observations highlight Flagg’s combination of instincts, athleticism, and potential for ball-handling improvement. Though he still faces potential growing pains against advanced defenders, he demonstrated promising offensive instincts. His college shooting percentage from three-point range was approximately 39%, yet he struggled with his shot during the Summer League, indicating that developing an effective perimeter shot will be crucial for his scoring consistency.
Defensively, Flagg’s capabilities are characterized by solid positioning and shot contesting, which prevented high steal or block totals. However, he is likely to face challenges in accumulating rebounds and blocks when matched against established NBA players such as Anthony Davis.
Following his strong performance against the Spurs, the Dallas Mavericks are expected to shut down Flagg for the remainder of the Las Vegas Summer League to prevent potential fatigue or injury. His overall impact in Summer League has not significantly altered expectations regarding his role or potential for the upcoming NBA season.
In terms of team structure, Flagg is projected to serve as a co-second option for the Mavericks, sharing playmaking duties with D’Angelo Russell, especially as a replacement for Kyrie Irving. This role could provide Flagg with opportunities to develop further within the team’s offensive system.
While Flagg’s Summer League performance generated excitement, it did not significantly influence fantasy basketball projections or expectations for immediate NBA contribution. The focus remains on his development trajectory, emphasizing improvement in shooting consistency, defensive presence, and handling against higher-caliber competition.
In sum, Cooper Flagg’s second Summer League game displayed notable scoring talent, showcasing his potential as a versatile forward with athleticism and instincts suitable for NBA-level play. Although still adjusting to the pace and physicality of professional basketball, his progress is viewed as positive, with organizational plans aligning with a cautious approach to his development as he transitions from college to the NBA.
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