Former Mavericks head coach Avery Johnson made headlines by saying he would take 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg over Luka Doncic.
Former Dallas Mavericks head coach Avery Johnson made headlines with a bold take during a CBS Sports segment, stating he would take Cooper Flagg over Luka Doncic.
Cooper Flagg
Cooper Flagg
Position: PF, SF
Age: 18
Height: 206 cm
Weight: 93 kg
Birth place: United States of America
“Man, give me Cooper Flagg,” Johnson said when asked about picking Flagg versus picking Doncic. Flagg was selected first overall in the 2025 NBA Draft by Dallas and is seen as one of the most promising two-way prospects in years.
While his comments may raise eyebrows, especially considering Doncic’s elite production, Johnson laid out a bigger picture that reflects his optimism for the Mavericks.
“This team is going to be tremendous once Kyrie Irving gets healthy. You still have Anthony Davis. They're going to re-sign Daniel Gafford, obviously. There's been talk about Kyrie Irving re-signing. This team is going to be built to be one of the best two-way teams in the league," he explained.
Credit AFP-Scanpix
Praising the Mavericks’ roster construction, Johnson highlighted the team’s depth and veteran leadership.
“They didn’t have to really sacrifice any of their depth. They have some quality young players coming off that bench. Klay Thompson is a champion. You're talking about a team that, when they're healthy, has three future Hall of Famers with Kyrie, AD, and Klay Thompson.
Looking ahead, Johnson emphasized the importance of the Mavericks maximizing their current core.
“So, this is really exciting. The Mavericks, their future is bright. But they have a window, when they're healthy, of the next two to three years with this roster that's currently constructed,” he concluded.
Doncic, 26, had another impressive season, averaging 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game while shooting 45.0% from the field and 36.8% from beyond the arc.
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