‘He Has The Talent’: Anthony Davis Confident Cooper Flagg Can Guard Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler Right Away

Grant AfsethOctober 5, 2025October 21, 2025no comment

Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks, NBA, Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving

Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

Anthony Davis didn’t hesitate when asked about Cooper Flagg’s defensive potential. After spending three days watching the No. 1 overall pick compete against NBA veterans at Dallas Mavericks training camp, Davis believes the 18-year-old is ready for serious assignments.

“He looks comfortable,” Davis said. “He can block shots, and he can jump, he can rebound. He can defend one through five.”

Flagg’s activity and communication stood out from the opening drills at Simon Fraser University. Coaches praised his ability to absorb schemes quickly, and teammates noticed his willingness to speak up defensively — even alongside established stars.

For a team emphasizing “championship habits,” his presence fit seamlessly with the tone Anthony Davis and the Mavericks are trying to set.

Anthony Davis Provides Guidance for Cooper Flagg

Davis said the rookie’s poise under pressure has already earned respect inside the locker room. While mistakes are expected for a player his age, his effort and engagement have left little doubt about how quickly he belongs.

“From day one, he’s been locked in,” Davis said. “He’s asking questions, he’s trying to understand the game. You can see he wants to be great.”

The Mavericks have tested Flagg in a variety of matchups early in camp, challenging him to handle physicality, spacing, and communication responsibilities. Davis said he’s already taken on a mentoring role, making sure the rookie knows he can take ownership on the defensive end even at his age.

“I had some conversations with him,” Davis said. “I didn’t have vets like he does — like with myself, Klay, Caleb, Kyrie — where you can go to them and talk. I told him today in practice, we were doing a drill and he was hesitant about kicking the guy out, and I said, you’re very great defensively where you have the ability to grab him and throw him and tell him to get to his position. And we’ve got to be able to do that, not just because he’s a rookie, but because we want to win.”

Guarding the NBA’s Best

Davis said Flagg’s combination of length, mobility, and instincts makes him a rare kind of modern defender — one who can help Dallas cover breakdowns and take on elite scorers across positions.

“He has the talent to do so,” Davis said. “He can cover a lot of ground — force guys get beat — he can cover up for us. He has a lot of talent on both ends of the floor, but defensively, he’s going to show it. We’re going to put him in situations where you have to guard maybe the best wing — have to guard Durant or Jimmy Butler or these guys. And we have enough confidence in him to go out and send him out there and be able to guard those guys. But he’s also got help on the back line with the other four guys on the floor.”

Flagg, who turned 18 in December, has drawn praise throughout camp for his competitiveness and communication. Klay Thompson highlighted his willingness to “not sit out one drill,” and Dereck Lively II said veterans have his back when teams try to test him.

The Mavericks view Flagg’s defensive versatility as a key part of their frontcourt depth alongside Davis, Lively, and Daniel Gafford. Dallas spent much of camp emphasizing rebounding and accountability after ranking 30th in rebounding following last season’s midseason roster changes.

For Davis, mentoring Flagg isn’t about easing him in — it’s about challenging him from the start.

“We’re going to put him in those situations,” Davis said. “He’s got the tools. Now it’s just about using them every night.”

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Grant Afseth

Senior Writer

Grant Afseth is a Senior Writer for DallasHoopsJournal.com, where he leads in-depth coverage of the Mavericks, Wings, and more. Between a focus on the latest news, closer looks at games, front office strategy, and more, Afseth provides objective coverage. Afseth contributes broader NBA coverage across platforms and has been cited in national outlets for his reporting and analysis. With nearly a decade of journalism experience, Afseth has covered the NBA and WNBA for multiple major outlets, including Athlon Sports, BallIsLife, Sportskeeda, and RG.org. He previously reported on the Indiana Pacers for CNHI’s Kokomo Tribune and the Mavericks for FanNation.

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‘He Has The Talent’: Anthony Davis Confident Cooper Flagg Can Guard Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler Right Away