Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images

‘He’s The Real Deal’: Charles Barkley Gives Massive Praise to Dallas Mavericks Rookie Cooper Flagg

Grant AfsethAugust 28, 2025 4:49 PMOctober 21, 2025 6:00 PMno comment

Cooper Flagg hasn’t logged a regular-season minute yet for the Dallas Mavericks, but the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft has already generated bold predictions from league legends and executives alike.

The former Duke star enters the NBA with expectations as Dallas’ new franchise cornerstone following Luka Dončić’s trade to the Los Angeles Lakers. Hall of Famer Charles Barkley didn’t hesitate to highlight Flagg’s impact potential when asked about the Mavericks’ outlook.

“Let me tell you this, that Dallas Mavericks team, they might be the second-best team in the West if they could ever get healthy,” Barkley said during an interview with BetMGM Network. “Obviously, Kyrie is going to come back mid-season, but if AD can get healthy, and that boy Cooper Flagg, he’s the real deal.”

Execs, Scouts Eye Rookie of the Year

Around the league, executives and scouts share the enthusiasm. ESPN’s Jeremy Woo reported that 17 of 20 evaluators surveyed at Summer League picked Flagg as the front-runner for Rookie of the Year.

One Eastern Conference GM told Spotrac’s Keith Smith, “Dallas got a generational talent when those lottery balls bounced their way. That kid is unbelievable. Wish we had that kind of luck.”

Flagg is expected to carry a high usage rate with Kyrie Irving sidelined by an ACL tear. Dallas could feature a starting lineup of D’Angelo Russell, Flagg, Anthony Davis, P.J. Washington or Klay Thompson, and either Dereck Lively II or Daniel Gafford until Irving returns.

Summer League Showcases Growth

Flagg averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists during his lone season at Duke, then carried that production into Las Vegas. After struggling in his debut, he rebounded with a 31-point performance against the San Antonio Spurs.

“I definitely felt a little more comfortable,” Flagg said afterward. “They were still picking up 94 feet … but I was trusting all the work.”

The Mavericks ultimately shut him down after two games, but not before Flagg asked coaches for a third to prove his breakout wasn’t a fluke. “It shows how much he wants to be great,” one Dallas executive told Spotrac.

With Barkley, scouts, and executives all signaling confidence, the spotlight on Flagg’s rookie campaign will only intensify once the regular season tips off.

Latest Dallas Mavericks News & NBA Rumors

Leave a Response Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Grant Afseth

Senior Writer

Grant Afseth is a Senior Writer for Dallas Hoops Journal and a lead contributor to Roundtable.io. With over a decade of experience as a credentialed journalist, Afseth provides elite tactical analysis and front-office strategy for the Mavericks, Wings, and Texas basketball. His reporting is featured across national platforms including Newsweek, RG.org, Hoops Rumors, and Athlon Sports. A primary source for the basketball community, his work is frequently cited by Wikipedia, RealGM, and Basketball-Reference. He previously served as a Mavericks and NBA reporter for Sports Illustrated's FanNation and Rockets/OnSI, as well as Ballislife, Heavy Sports, ClutchPoints, and NBA Analysis Network. During the Mavericks' 2024 NBA Finals run and the pivotal 2025 offseason—featuring his lead reporting on the Luka Dončić-Anthony Davis trade—he served as a featured insider for The Texas Standard and BBC Sport Radio. Afseth is a regular guest on Fox 4 Dallas and 105.3 The Fan. He previously reported for the Kokomo Tribune and Winsidr. Follow his real-time reporting on X @GrantAfseth.

view all posts