Cooper Flagg could take a major step in his second NBA season, and fantasy analysts Andre Snellings and Eric Moody believe the Dallas Mavericks forward has the talent to become one of the league’s best players. After averaging 21.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG and 4.5 APG on his way to Rookie of the Year honors, Flagg has room to grow, and the return of Kyrie Irving following a missed season could help him do it.
How big a leap can Flagg make?
Snellings: He should make a big leap, especially as a scorer. As a rookie, then-head coach Jason Kidd asked Flagg to play point guard. That experience likely helped his all-around game, but it limited his aggressiveness in creating his own shot. Playing more off the ball with the green light to score, Flagg could approach 30 PPG while maintaining solid-to-strong peripheral numbers.
Moody: Flagg has the potential to earn his first All-Star selection this season, and he could increase his per-game averages in points, rebounds and assists. He posted three games with at least 45 points last season and already looks ready for another jump. He scored 32 points in the season opener against the Houston Rockets and followed with 29 points and 11 assists against the Miami Heat on Monday night. At just 19 years old, Moody expects him to become a more efficient scorer with another year of experience and a better supporting cast.
What does Flagg need to maximize his potential?
Snellings: Flagg must play aggressively at both ends. On offense, he needs to attack the rim, draw fouls and finish in the paint on every possession. That pressure should open up his jump shot and create more passing opportunities. The Mavericks have so much size that he likely won’t dominate the glass, but he should still rebound willingly. On defense, he needs to be just as assertive in the passing lanes and at the rim. Snellings noted that at Duke, Flagg led the team in steals and blocks, as well as in points, rebounds and assists.
Moody: Outside shooting is the biggest area for improvement. Flagg shot just 29.5% from three-point range last season, and defenders gave him plenty of space on the perimeter. Raising that number to around 35% would open more driving lanes. Moody also wants Flagg to be more selective with his midrange attempts. He already passes and defends at an excellent level, and his ability to create his own shot is impressive for his age. Better shooting efficiency would take his offensive game to another level.
How does Irving’s return change things?
Snellings: Irving gives Flagg the best point guard and the best shot-making scorer of his career on the same floor. Irving can draw defensive attention and set Flagg up with more open looks in his preferred spots than he received as a rookie. Irving’s ability to knock down shots from anywhere or attack imbalanced defenses should also increase Flagg’s assist potential. With both on the court, the defense must account for two players, which makes life easier for each of them.
Moody: Irving’s return should make a significant difference. Flagg handled much of the point guard duty as a rookie because Dallas lacked established playmakers. Now Irving can take on much of that load while pulling defenders away from Flagg. That should create more chances to attack closeouts, cut to the basket and score without creating everything himself. Moody is also curious how coach Dusty May uses the two in pick-and-roll situations. Flagg may not have the ball as often, but his scoring efficiency could improve considerably.
Which historical players offer a comparison?
Snellings: He compares Flagg to two former Duke players, Grant Hill and Jayson Tatum. All three are do-everything wings with forward size and guard skills. However, Snellings believes Flagg’s statistical output is more advanced than either player’s in their second seasons. He sees Flagg’s production as a blend of Hill’s sixth season (25.8 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 5.2 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.6 BPG) and Tatum’s fifth (26.9 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.6 BPG). Flagg is a slightly better shot-blocker than either and may have more upside as a scorer.
Moody: His comparison is LeBron James, who averaged 20.9 PPG as a rookie before jumping to 27.2 PPG, 7.4 RPG and 7.2 APG in his second season. Moody is not predicting that Flagg will become LeBron, but he notes that both entered the league with an unusual ability to impact games as scorers, rebounders and playmakers. Flagg also brings excellent defensive instincts and already looks comfortable against NBA competition. Moody expects him to take a similar step toward becoming one of the league’s best all-around players.
Which future bets stand out?
Snellings: He likes Flagg to make an All-NBA team at +600 odds. Making the team is rare for second-year players, as only 10 second-year players have done it since 1989, with the most recent being Luka Doncic, who accomplished it as a Maverick. If Flagg averages between 25 and 30 PPG with strong peripheral numbers, stays healthy enough to play the minimum 65 games, and helps Dallas contend for a playoff spot, Snellings believes he has a reasonable chance to follow Doncic’s path at only 20 years old.
Moody: He would take a small position on Flagg to win Most Improved Player at 70-1. Flagg could realistically average 26.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG and 6.0 APG this season. The last five winners of the award each increased their scoring average by at least 5.6 PPG, so Flagg may need to reach about 27.0 PPG to build a strong case. The challenge is that voters might see a big jump from the reigning Rookie of the Year as expected. But if Flagg becomes an All-Star and lifts Dallas into playoff contention, Moody believes the conversation could change, and he considers the odds worth a small wager.