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Report: Cooper Flagg Could Be a Borderline All-Star in Year 2 4 Jun 27, 2025; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison (left) looks on with Mavericks first overall pick Cooper Flagg (right) at a press conference at the Dallas Mavericks Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Report: Cooper Flagg Could Be a Borderline All-Star in Year 2

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Reign Amurao | Last updated Sep 30, 2025 7:52 PM ET

NBA fans believe that Cooper Flagg could instantly make an impact on the Dallas Mavericks. There’s also an expectation that Flagg could emerge as one of the best upcoming NBA stars. However, most young athletes require an adjustment phase, which could take some time. Fans aren’t the only ones who believe in his potential; even coaches around the league are convinced that he could make a difference soon.

Flagg has demonstrated that he can make a name for himself in the basketball world. In his lone season at Duke, the 6-foot-9 forward averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists. He also received numerous prizes throughout his brief time in college. He won several awards, including the Associated Press Player of the Year, the Naismith Award, and the NABC Division I Player of the Year.

These are all positive signs of what he could become in the professional realm. Flagg is expected to be the next face of the Mavericks franchise. But that could take some time as he has a lot to learn about the association.

Some believe he can become a star sooner than most NBA stars. An anonymous Western Conference assistant coach even predicted that Cooper Flagg could have a significant leap in his second year. According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, the assistant coach thinks the Dallas rookie will be a “borderline All-Star” in the 2026-27 season.

“Top 25,” one West assistant coach said. “He’ll be a borderline All-Star and the conversation will be about whether he should make it as a second-year guy or not.”

There’s a lot of pressure on the 18-year-old player. The Mavericks’ audience is eager for him to become the franchise’s star, and supporters want to see him develop into a superstar immediately.

An Eastern Conference assistant coach believes Cooper Flagg has a chance to be the best American talent

Report: Cooper Flagg Could Be a Borderline All-Star in Year 2 5 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

There have been a decent number of international stars in recent seasons. Even in the draft, foreigners have taken over the talent pool. With the arrival of Cooper Flagg, there have been a few questions about the future of American basketball.

There is a lot of excitement surrounding Flagg and what he may achieve for the future of American basketball. One anonymous Eastern Conference assistant coach told Bontemps that there’s a chance that he could emerge as the best American-born talent.

“But now that he has successfully made it to the NBA, there was a healthy amount of respect for No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, and his ability to eventually make a run at the spot last held by Durant in 2021,” the ESPN insider wrote.

Stars like Jayson Tatum, Anthony Edwards and Paolo Banchero were also mentioned with Flagg.

Report: Cooper Flagg Could Be a Borderline All-Star in Year 2 6 Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg was selected No. 1 overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2025 NBA Draft.Credit: Getty Images

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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