Following Luka Doncic‘s departure from the Dallas Mavericks, fans braced themselves for a bleak future. However, the arrival of Cooper Flagg has revitalized the franchise and validated General Manager Nico Harrison’s vision. His impressive performance in the Summer League has drawn frequent comparisons to Doncic. Addressing these comparisons, a former NBA Coach of the Year recently shared his candid opinion on the matter.
“Cooper Flagg, man. I think he’s the real deal. I’m excited for Dallas. He’s not gonna make people forget Luka, but the way this team has the ability to win and the fact that Cooper Flagg is gonna be a different kind of a star for the Dallas Mavericks,” Sam Mitchell expressed, via SiriusXM NBA Radio.
Luka Doncic, despite his relatively short seven-year tenure in Dallas, became an indelible symbol of the city. Although he did not secure a championship for the Mavericks, he revitalized the team’s competitive spirit. His extraordinary talent consistently placed him among the league’s elite and frequently in contention for the MVP award. This sets a high bar for any successor, making it daunting for someone like Flagg to surpass his legacy.
Instead of trying to fill Doncic’s shoes, Cooper is set on creating his own legacy. At just 18, he faces high expectations but aims to make a meaningful impact in his rookie season. His adaptation to the NBA‘s rigorous demands will be a careful process as he gets accustomed to the pace of the game and Jason Kidd’s system.
Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks walks on the court during a break in the second half of a 2025 NBA Summer League game against the San Antonio Spurs
Comparing Cooper Flagg to Luka Doncic is not a fair or reasonable assessment. Their playing styles differ significantly, rendering such comparisons ineffective. Moreover, Doncic entered the NBA equipped with three years of professional experience in Spain’s ACB League with Real Madrid. For that reason, expecting Flagg to replicate Doncic’s remarkable rookie season would place undue pressure on the younger player.
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Furthermore, the Dallas Mavericks’ head coach Jason Kidd stated that Cooper Flagg will not be responsible for leading the team’s offense immediately. Instead, he wants Flagg to learn and develop alongside the team’s veterans. As a result, the team acquired D’Angelo Russell to take charge of the offense alongside Anthony Davis. This allows the youngster to slowly assert himself in the paint, developing a team-oriented game that helps him adapt seamlessly.
