Can Cooper Flagg match Luka Doncic’s impact in Dallas?

Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) smiles after a play during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Former All-Star unsure Cooper Flagg can match Luka Doncic’s impact in Dallas

By Yagya Bhargava | Last updated Feb 2, 2026 9:33 PM ET

Cooper Flagg is starting to look more comfortable in Dallas. After a rough start to his rookie season, he's adjusted to the NBA pace and started showing what he can actually do.

The Mavericks might have a real piece here, which is something considering how messy things have been since one of the strangest trades in recent years.

A year ago, Dallas shipped Luka Doncic to the Lakers for Max Christie, Anthony Davis and a 2029 first-round pick. The fallout has been rough. Some fans point to Flagg as a reason for optimism, but others aren't convinced yet.

DeMarcus Cousins recently weighed in on FanDuel's "Run It Back" and made it clear he's not ready to crown Flagg as anything close to what the Mavericks gave up.

"It's hard to make judgment on a rookie in his rookie season," Cousins said. "I think everybody knows this kid is gonna be really, really good in the NBA, but do we know if he turns into a Luka Doncic in the next three to four years? That's still in the air. We don't know."

Dallas did not make up for losing Luka Doncic by drafting Cooper Flagg

"This kid's gonna be really, really good in the NBA. But do we if he turns into a Luka Doncic in the next 3-4 years?" - Boogie Cousins@MichelleDBeadle | @boogiecousins | @TeamLou23 pic.twitter.com/aJP3qsUvA7
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) February 2, 2026

Cooper Flagg comparisons to Luka Doncic may be coming far too soon

Cousins has a fair point. Comparing Flagg to Doncic at this stage doesn't make much sense, and Flagg himself probably wouldn't entertain it.

Doncic has five All-NBA First Team selections and led Dallas to the 2024 Finals. He's averaging 33.6 points per game this season and leading the league in scoring.

The Mavericks are 32-50 since the trade and currently sit at 19-30. Davis has only appeared in 29 games due to groin, knee and Achilles injuries. The franchise also parted ways with GM Nico Harrison in November 2025 as the trade continued to haunt them.

However, Flagg has had his moments. The 19-year-old recently put up 49 points, the highest total ever for a teenager in NBA history. Dallas hasn't turned things around, but Flagg has given fans something to watch.

Cousins probably understands that judging a rookie's ceiling this early is tricky business.

Yagya Bhargava

Yagya Bhargava began his professional journey as a chef, but his passion for sports eventually led him into sports journalism. He started writing in 2022 and has since published more than 5,000 articles covering the NFL and NBA. Along the way, he’s worked with outlets like The Cold Wire, Sportskeeda, The SportsRush, and The Big Lead

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