Cooper Flagg (Image Credits: Imagn)

Cooper Flagg was deemed the most NBA-ready to ever come out of college by the fans and the media. Now six games into the season, it’s safe to say that he’s struggled. Sure, D’Angelo Russell had said that his young teammate is an unbelievable talent, but it’s obvious that the 18-year-old still has a lot to learn in the pros.

Flagg’s position with the Dallas Mavericks is unusual. He’s being tasked to run the Luka Doncic blueprint on offense, which is unfair for a kid like him. That’s why, after the Mavs were embarrassed by the Detroit Pistons in Mexico City, Flagg was vocal about his struggles on the court at the start of his rookie year campaign.

“It’s a tough league. It’s a transition. I haven’t made a lot of shots or been as efficient as I would’ve wanted to, but I’m gonna keep trusting the work. It’s nothing I think they should be worried about. I’m not worried about anything,” per Cooper Flagg. It is shared by Mike Curtis on X.

Through six games, Flagg has averaged 13.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and three assists for the Mavs. Not really bad numbers for a number one pick, but he is only shooting 37% on the floor this season. His three-point shot is even worse, having hit only 28.6% in that area.

Cooper Flagg Is Not A Natural Point Guard

Cooper Flagg (Image Credits: Imagn)
Even though bigger point guards have ruled the NBA in recent years, at least they’ve been playing that position before becoming a pro. Not Flagg, though. Prior to the NBA, the 6-foot-9 Flagg has mostly dabbled in either the small forward or the power forward positions.

That’s why when Jason Kidd tasked the youngster to start at point guard for Dallas, not everybody was amused. Their current roster was built with Luka in mind, not for Flagg. Additionally, if we factor in all the turmoil and dysfunction that have hounded the Mavericks since the Doncic trade, the former Duke star has been put in a difficult position to start his NBA career.

Luka Doncic ‘destroys’ the Mavs on his return. Gets standing ovation and shows love to Mark Cuban

Luka Doncic hits 45 points in his first game in Dallas since being traded to the Los Angeles.

It’s rare for a home crowd to cheer the visiting team, but Luka Doncic’s return to Dallas was no ordinary night.

Just days before February’s trade deadline, the Mavericks shocked the NBA by sending their 26-year-old superstar to the Lakers—a move that outraged fans and sparked backlash toward GM Nico Harrison.

On Wednesday, Doncic played his first game back in Dallas since the trade. The arena was filled with fans in both his old Mavs and new Lakers jerseys, many chanting “Fire Nico” in protest.

Despite the emotion in the air, Doncic delivered a dominant performance, scoring a game-high 45 points to lead the Lakers to a 112-97 win. It was a powerful return for one of the league’s brightest stars—and a night Dallas won’t soon forget

The Mavericks pay tribute to Luka Dončić

While the Mavericks’ decision to trade Luka Doncic remains heavily criticized, they handled his return to Dallas with undeniable grace. The organization made sure his first game back as a Laker was met with respect and appreciation.

Every seat in the arena was draped with a T-shirt reading “Hvala za vse,” which translates from Slovenian to “thank you for everything.” It was a thoughtful nod to Doncic’s heritage and impact on the franchise.

Before tip-off, during the starting lineup announcements, the Mavericks played a tribute video showcasing some of Doncic’s most iconic moments in a Dallas jersey. The emotional gesture clearly resonated—moving Doncic to tears in front of the crowd that once called him their own.

Luka Doncic ‘DESTROYS’ his old team

Luka delivered a dazzling performance against his former team, putting up 45 points on 16-of-28 shooting, including 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. He also added 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals in a game that showed exactly why he’s one of the best in the league.

From the opening tip, Doncic was locked in. By halftime, Doncic had racked up 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting in just 19 minutes—marking the 10th time in his career he’s scored 30 or more in a single half.

Though his scoring slowed in the second half, he continued to lead effectively, securing both a Lakers win and an unforgettable showing for the fans in Dallas.