As the NBA Draft approaches, former Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson made a bold statement: he would opt to build around rookie phenom Cooper Flagg instead of franchise icon Luka Doncic.
Speaking to CBS Sports ahead of the draft night, Johnson expressed his excitement about Flagg‘s future in Dallas and downplayed the loss of Doncic in February’s blockbuster trade.
A fresh direction with Cooper Flagg
Johnson, who led Dallas from 2004 to 2007, highlighted Flagg‘s immediate impact, stating:
“Man, give me Cooper Flagg. This team is going to be tremendous once Kyrie Irving gets healthy.”
The former Coach of the Year praised Flagg‘s potential, adding,
“This team is gonna be built to be one of the best twoway teams in the league and they didn’t even have to really sacrifice any of their depth. … This is really exciting. The Mavericks’ future is bright.”
Johnson‘s endorsement carries significant weight, considering his impressive track record.
Under his leadership, the Mavericks posted a 190-74 record, including a franchisebest 67-15 season and an NBA Finals appearance.
Though early playoff exits in subsequent years eventually led to his departure, his credentials remain solid.
Despite Luka‘s extraordinary career, scorching stats, multiple AllNBA nods, and a nearlock for the Hall of Fame, it’s apparent that Dallas has redrawn its blueprints.
Trading their 25 year old superstar to the Lakers in February marked a seismic shift toward a new era.
Why this shift matters
Flagg isn’t just another top pick. At Duke, he posted averages of roughly 19 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4 assists, and earned both national player of the year and ACC Freshman of the Year honors.
He stands at 69, and scouts rave about his two-way versatility, comparing him to elite wings like Kawhi Leonard and Jayson Tatum.
Furthermore, with Dallas landing the No. 1 pick despite just a 1.8 % chance, conspiracy theories have abounded. Some suggest the lottery was rigged as compensation after the Doni trade.
Interestingly, Flagg himself weighed in, denying any insider knowledge: “I’m blessed by how events unfolded”. Nevertheless, fragments of conspiracy chatter have persisted amid fan anger.
While critics point to the emotional backlash over Doncic‘s departure, including vocally upset fans on Reddit insisting “nothing can undo it”, Dallas‘ front office has signaled firm support for Flagg.
Plans are reportedly to keep the pick and commit to development over chasing immediate star returns.
GM Nico Harrison, who orchestrated both the Doncic trade and the Flagg decision, has defended the moves by arguing that “defense wins championships.”
His leadership is now under scrutiny, but management appears squarely focused on long-term balance.
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