Jamal Mashburn's Bold Cooper Flagg Claim Has Aged Terribly

Jan 29, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) reacts during the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images© Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Jamal Mashburn's Bold Cooper Flagg Claim Has Aged Terribly

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Oct 29, 2026 10:59 AM ET

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Former NBA star Jamal Mashburn may want to change his stance on Cooper Flagg.

Just months into Flagg’s rookie season with the Dallas Mavericks, Mashburn suggested the Duke star would be the sixth-best prospect if he was part of the 2026 NBA Draft class. He unleashed that take while on TNT Sports this past January.

“I look at last year’s No.1 pick in Cooper Flagg. If I was to put him on that list, he would be sixth,” said Mashburn. “Behind all five of them, just from a skillset and elevation level of where they can get to…Cooper Flagg still has holes in his game.”

Suffice to say, Mashburn’s take on Flagg has aged like milk. Although it’s early in the 2026-27 season, Flagg is averaging 25.3 points, 6.8 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game for the Mavericks.

“Thinking Cooper Flagg is 6th on that list is almost insanity. Fireable offense.
I compared Cooper to KG and it’s looking right. Obviously different players but the intensity and motor changes it all. Coop is special,” one fan said.

“I’m sorry but this is by far one of the worst takes i’ve seen in sports,” a second fan wrote.

“Has he [Mashburn] been fired yet?” another fan asked.

“If I was to put [Cooper Flagg] on that list [of current Freshman], he would be 6th.” @jamalmashburn breaks down why this year’s top Freshman stand out to him ️ pic.twitter.com/qGkknRPSgp
— TNT Sports U.S. (@TNTSportsUS) January 31, 2026

Cooper Flagg has been undeniable.

Despite only being 19 years old, Flagg has received high praise from his teammates on the Mavericks.

“I would say this: I think Coop falls in line in terms of having that competitive nature at a very young age to be able to lead a team, to be able to be on a great team and be a complementary piece but also lead the team in statistical categories,” Mavericks star Kyrie Irving said, via ESPN. “I love that he’s a two-way player. I love that he cares about using his voice as he’s grown into Year 2. He’s coming off Rookie of the Year, so there’s a lot of pressure on him. I feel like I’m here to alleviate some of that pressure he feels.”

The Mavericks will be back in action this Monday against the Sacramento Kings.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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