Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) walks off the court after losing to the Houston Cougars in the semifinals of the men’s Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

'Most Complete Player We’ve Seen Come Into the NBA' – Dallas Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg Draws Exciting Outlook From Former No. 1 Pick

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Aug 22, 2025 8:10 AM ET

Blake Griffin believes that the Dallas Mavericks struck gold in Cooper Flagg, as the former No. 1 overall pick and six-time NBA All-Star already called the latter one of the most complete players in the league right now.

“I think he’s the most complete player that we’ve seen come into the NBA in recent memory,” Griffin said on the Post Moves with Candace Parker & Aliyah Boston. “I’m not saying he doesn’t have room to grow, he still has a ton of room to grow, but he passes, he shoots, he defends, he rebounds. He seems like a great teammate, seems like a great kid.”

“What’s the red flag? Which is really exciting for basketball to have these young guys. I mean, even Wemby (Victor Wembanyama), very complete, as well. But Cooper is able to play so many different positions, guard so many different positions, that is exciting,” he added.

Apr 4, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg (2) during a practice session for the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Flagg gave Dallas Mavericks fans a glimpse of what he could become during the Summer League, as he averaged 20.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in two games before he was shut down.

Dallas Mavericks get positive grade from analyst after productive offseason

Besides drafting Cooper Flagg, the Dallas Mavericks also handed extensions to Dante Exum and Kyrie Irving while signing D’Angelo Russell this summer, and these were enough to receive a positive offseason review from veteran NBA reporter David Aldridge.

Oct 7, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison (right) looks on during warm-ups before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Memphis Grizzlies at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

“A sizable portion of Dallas’ fan base will chant ‘Fire Nico!’ at home games forever, because some people can’t move on past anything,” Aldridge wrote on The Athletic.

“But, hopefully, more will get back on board watching Flagg and his prodigious talents, and how Jason Kidd uses him alongside Anthony Davis and (Daniel) Gafford and (Dereck) Lively II… Health willing, this could be a really good team,” he added.