New York (AFP) – Versatile US college teen star Cooper Flagg is expected to be selected first overall by the Dallas Mavericks in Wednesday’s NBA Draft. The Mavericks nabbed the first pick after winning last month’s NBA Draft Lottery and are expected to take Flagg, an 18-year-old American who played last season for Duke University before opting into the draft.
Flagg was a consensus pick as the top US college player last season, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocked shots a game for the Blue Devils, who lost to Houston in the semi-finals of the national college tournament. Former NBA player Brian Scalabrine introduced Flagg to Duke coach Jon Scheyer. “He will dominate 10 different ways in one game and 10 different ways in 10 different games,” Scalabrine said.
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Flagg, a versatile playmaker, stands 6-foot-9 (2.06m) and weighs 225 pounds (102kg). He made his only pre-draft team visit to see Dallas and would be the first player from Maine drafted since 1984. Flagg could be just the player Mavericks fans need to put aside the memories of Dallas trading star guard Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis last February.
Flagg would be the third number one pick on the Mavs’ roster alongside Davis and Kyrie Irving, who is recovering from knee surgery. The Mavericks could use Flagg, which was to have been Irving’s role. For the moment, Flagg just wants to get his NBA career started. “I think the biggest thing is…not trying to think too far into the future not worrying about what’s coming down the road,” Flagg told Sports Illustrated. “Just focusing on right here, right now, on what I can control.”
San Antonio is set to select second, followed by Philadelphia, Charlotte, Utah, Washington, New Orleans, Brooklyn, and Toronto. Phoenix has reportedly obtained the 10th overall choice from Houston in a trade for star forward Kevin Durant, but since the deal cannot be completed until next month, Houston might make the actual selection but do so at the direction of the Suns as part of the blockbuster deal.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, who captured a first NBA crown on Sunday, have the 15th and 24th first-round picks. The Portland Trail Blazers have the 11th pick. They have made a deal with Boston for 35-year-old guard Jrue Holiday, ESPN reported, sending Anfernee Simons and two second-round draft picks to the Celtics. Holiday spent four days with Portland in 2023, obtained in a deal that sent Damian Lillard to Milwaukee before being shipped to Boston, where he won a second NBA title last year.
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