Gilbert Arenas believes Cooper Flagg has a wide-open path to develop his talent with the Dallas Mavericks without being subjected to overwhelming pressure. Dallas, as he points out, is already a well-built team that knows how to nurture young prospects-an ideal environment for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. It’s a franchise prepared to support a highly skilled player expected to make an immediate impact in his first minutes on the court.
He’ll need to hit the ground running from game one
Cooper Flagg arrived in Dallas as the first overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, and expectations are high from the moment he touches the ball after the opening tip-off.
Flagg signed a four-year, $62.7 million contract, with $28.3 million guaranteed in the first two years. That level of investment might naturally create more anxiety and pressure than what most rookies experience. Still, Flagg doesn’t seem fazed. He has the mindset, pedigree, and skill to rise to the occasion and meet the high expectations placed upon him.
He gets to build and learn with his mistakes without being crucified because the winning is gonna shut everybody down. So, they win 50-something games, nobody’s gonna say anything about him… They will blame AD (if the Mavs turn out to be a bad team). Right now, AD is the Number 1 focal point, so whatever Cooper Flagg adds to it helps AD, but it also helps himself.
Arenas said.
Flagg could potentially average more than 20 points and 10 rebounds per game, especially while opposing defenses are focused on other key elements of the Mavericks. If he takes advantage of the moments when he’s left open, those opportunities could be the foundation for building his legacy in the league and turning his rookie year into something special.
Arenas even suggests Flagg could draw comparisons to Tim Duncan. The increased attention he’ll receive won’t be a problem, he believes, because Flagg’s performance metrics will speak for themselves.
At just 18 years old, with the pressure to deliver immediately, most players might crack-but Flagg seems to have the credentials and maturity to make a spectacular entrance into the NBA. And crucially, he has joined a team ready to shelter him. That means he won’t be carrying the entire burden alone; his teammates will help distribute the weight and create space for him to shine on the court.
His “promising prospect” label will need to transition to “rising star” in a matter of weeks to avoid being overwhelmed by pressure. But if everything around him works as intended, Flagg’s success-and that of the Mavericks-will be all but guaranteed.
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