ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst expects Dallas Mavericks player Cooper Flagg to become one of the NBA’s top five players in his second season, saying Flagg’s rookie-year flashes reminded him of LeBron James before James reached that level in year two.
The article’s writer says a top-five season would be a difficult bar, particularly on what it calls an underwhelming Dallas team. It says Flagg would have to outperform players including Victor Wembanyama, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Dončić, Anthony Edwards and Jalen Brunson, as well as veteran stars LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant.
The article points to Kyrie Irving’s return as a possible help: the veteran guard could set Flagg up for better shots and take ball-carrying duties off him. It says an outstanding season could earn Flagg an All-Star nomination.
