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"I'm not worried' — Cooper Flagg gives his honest thoughts on succeeding Luka Doncic in Dallas Mavericks roster
Cooper Flagg. Image via: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images
As the Dallas Mavericks prepare to make Cooper Flagg the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025
NBA
Draft, the 18-year-old phenom is being thrust into a spotlight brighter than any rookie in recent memory.
Following the franchise's shocking decision to trade Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this year, many see Flagg as the heir to the Mavericks' throne.
But the Maine-born forward isn't carrying any of that emotional baggage, at least not publicly. In a candid revelation, Flagg shared that he is not under pressure to be Doncic's successor.
Cooper Flagg clears the air about the pressure of being Luka Doncic's successor ahead of draft night spotlight
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Flagg addressed the looming narrative of succeeding Luka Doncic in Dallas with calm resolve.
'I wouldn't look at anything as pressure,' Flagg said ahead of the NBA Draft. 'I'm not worried about living up to certain players' expectations or things like that. I'm just going to be myself and really try to get better every single day that I can.'
Flagg has remained grounded throughout his meteoric rise from Newport, Maine, to Duke, and now to the NBA.
His journey is already the stuff of legend in his home state. 'Yeah, I'm blessed that I have so much support from my state and people back home that support me so much,' Flagg shared.
'I'm just truly blessed and grateful for the people that show up, you know, the parties and celebrating my name."
The Mavericks' decision to part ways with Doncic stunned the NBA world. Fans protested outside the American Airlines Center and chanted 'Fire Nico' during games, clearly blaming general manager Nico Harrison for the move. But the mood began to shift when Dallas improbably won the NBA Draft Lottery despite having less than a 2% chance.
That victory gave the team— and its fanbase— new life, with Flagg now the centerpiece of that hope.
According to ESPN's Baxter Holmes, the 'Flagg effect' is already making waves inside the organization. A Mavericks team source revealed: 'We sold $8 million in new season tickets in the three days after the lottery' (via
The source added, 'We have done two additional new sponsor deals, one the second largest in our history, since the luck of the lottery.'
Also Read:
Kyrie Irving lands $119 million deal to stay with Dallas Mavericks after ditching player option
Even before Flagg has played a professional minute, he brings a swift magnetic pull of attention to the franchise. And he won't be doing it alone. The Mavericks recently re-signed
Kyrie Irving
to a three-year, $119 million deal and still have
Anthony Davis
on the roster, creating a new-look trio that could define Dallas basketball for years to come.
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