Cooper Flagg is already one of the NBA's brightest young stars and Mike Schmitz believes his offseason work could lead to another significant step forward
Nobody needs convincing about Cooper Flagg's ceiling.
After a Rookie of the Year campaign that ranked among the best debut seasons in recent memory, the questions in Dallas are not about how good he can be, but how quickly he gets there. Speaking with 105.3 The Fan on August 14th, Mavericks general manager Mike Schmitz offered an early look at what a Year 2 Flagg might become and what the young star has been working on throughout the offseason.
Schmitz's message boiled down to a simple idea: Let Flagg be Flagg. "I think just continuing to be himself," Schmitz said. "He's such a competitor. His IQ, his feel for the game, his toughness, his skill level, his versatility, there are so many different ways he can hurt you on both ends of the floor."
That versatility is exactly why the front office is not trying to force him into a narrow role. "I don't know if it's one emphasis," Schmitz continued. "I think he's such a talent who impacts the game in so many different ways, and now it's our job to help maximize him. We feel we've got the roster in a good place where we're going to see that."
The work behind the scenes has been consistent. "He's been working his tail off all summer, has been completely locked in, and I know he's excited to make a jump in year two," Schmitz said. That offseason effort has centered on refining the skill areas that could raise his ceiling, particularly his shooting and ball-handling.
"He has a great touch," Schmitz said. "He can shoot on the move. He can handle the ball. I know it's something he's been really, really working at, and has a great touch around the rim. So I think you're going to see him continue to improve in those areas." He closed with a nod to how much the organization values its cornerstone. "He's been in our gym all summer, and like I said, he's working his tail off. So obviously very thankful to have Coop on our side."
The improvements Schmitz described point toward a potential leap. Flagg's jump shot was the one clear swing skill on his rookie profile, and if the touch and shot-making Schmitz praised translate to the floor, the rest of his game already gives him a strong foundation for another jump.
For a player of Flagg's caliber, the benchmarks almost set themselves. An All-Star selection in Year 2 is a realistic goal, especially with a healthy Kyrie Irving beside him and a retooled roster around him. The bigger step would be an All-NBA selection, and while the Western Conference is loaded with talent, Flagg's two-way impact gives him a path into that conversation.
None of that is guaranteed as Sophomore leaps are not automatic and Flagg will have to prove his offseason work translates against NBA competition night after night. But everything Schmitz described, from Flagg's competitiveness and feel for the game to his work ethic and improving skill set, points toward a player preparing for a significant second season.
