Cooper Flagg, a nineteen-year-old phenom, secures a remarkable spot on Bleacher Report's Top 99, showcasing his potential as the Mavericks' future cornerstone.
Bleacher Report recently put out their updated ranking of the top 99 players in the NBA, and the Dallas Mavericks only had one player featured on the list.
And you might be able to guess who it is.
"The miracle cure for Mavs fans post-Dončić, Flagg has been everything this franchise could've wanted and more," BR's Zach Buckley writes. "Any remaining skeptics (get a new hobby, folks) might try staining Flagg with a "jack of all trades" slight, but he's more like basketball's version of a five-tool star. Or at least he might meet that sky-high threshold as soon as he can harness a consistent outside shot."
At just 19 years old, Flagg quickly became a major talking point around the league—and a cornerstone of the Mavericks’ future, which is something the team needed after trading away the player that was supposed to be their future.
Flagg landed at No. 40 on the list, a remarkable placement given his youth and relative inexperience. The ranking reflects how much he has meant to Dallas this season, especially in the moments where the Mavs have lacked depth and consistency across their roster.
The former Duke Blue Devil is averaging 20 points, six rebounds, and four assists per game on 48 percent shooting from the field. His outside shooting has left a bit to be desired, but he more than makes up for it with his proficiency on the defensive side of the ball
Dallas trading away Luka is widely considered to be the worst trade in the history of the NBA, and deservedly so. But Flagg is doing absolutely everything in his power to ease Mavericks fans' pain with his play.
He is looking to be one of the future faces of the league, which is what he will need to do if he ever wants to live up to Luka's time in a Mavs uniform. But if there's anyone that can do it, it's Flagg, as he has been one of the most talked about youngsters in recent memory.
Looking ahead, Dallas fans can be excited. With Flagg’s emergence and continued development, the Mavericks could have a foundational piece to build around, even as the roster evolves in the post-Dončić era.