Cooper Flagg is about to embark on a journey only those who came before him can understand.
The former Duke freshman is on the cusp of realizing a long-awaited dream: playing in the NBA. He’s coming off his lone pre-draft visit with the Mavericks, who have the No. 1 pick in Wednesday’s draft.
Unlike most teams that wind up with the No. 1 pick, the Mavericks are built to contend, as long as the roster is healthy. Flagg can rely on two former No. 1s in Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis and plenty of veterans, a unique position for a rookie star.
But Dallas will be without a primary playmaker for a significant chunk of the season while Irving recovers from ACL surgery.
Could Flagg, who’s played forward for most of his young career, be an option at point guard for Mavericks coach Jason Kidd?
One of his former trainers and Kidd’s former teammates thinks so.
“When they pulled the [No. 1] envelope out and it said the Dallas Mavericks, my mind said, ‘Jason Kidd is going to play him at the point,’” former NBA player Brian Scalabrine said.
Scalabrine, who played four seasons with Kidd in New Jersey, made the assumption based on the former Milwaukee coach’s history with Giannis Antetokounmpo. Kidd was one of the first NBA coaches to use the two-time MVP forward at point guard, which further unlocked his full potential.
“It would not surprise me, especially with Kyrie Irving out, if he dabbles with Cooper at the point,” Scalabrine said. “And I’m not saying point forward, like Draymond Green. I’m saying point guard, like get us into our offense and set us up.
“The long-term development of that is why I think it’s a great fit. ... If I’m giving that position to anybody, I’m giving it to the guy who can figure things out.”
Others who’ve evaluated Flagg say he’s a generational talent, a 6-8 forward who isn’t limited to playing one position.
“He’ll dominate 10 different ways in one game and 10 different ways in 10 different games,” Scalabrine said.
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