USA Today says Duke legend Cooper Flagg must fail in Summer League for Mavericks to succeed

The Dallas Mavericks are highly committed to their first overall draft pick, Cooper Flagg, who enters the Summer League with significant hype and potential. Finding a consistent spot in the lineup could be challenging due to the Mavericks' strong roster. Cleveland's Lonzo Ball suggested Flagg's position would depend on matchups, proposing he could play power forward (the four) or small forward (the three), with the lineup adjusted accordingly for rebounding or small-ball scenarios.

Head coach Jason Kidd, during Flagg's first press conference, did not specify a position but emphasized wanting Flagg to be challenged. In his Summer League debut, Flagg demonstrated capability as a ball-handler for the Mavericks. Reports indicate buzz about Dallas potentially using Flagg as a guard in the regular season, with observations that he looked comfortable as a de facto point guard, showcasing playmaking instincts that drew comparisons to Jason Kidd's past experimentation with Giannis Antetokounmpo.

An alternative perspective, offered by USA Today's Lorenzo Reyes, suggests the Mavericks should allow Flagg to struggle during the Summer League to foster growth and exploration, believing this approach is necessary for both Flagg and the team to excel long-term. However, this strategy of intentionally letting him fail carries the inherent risk of damaging a rookie's confidence, making it a high-risk approach that requires careful consideration by the Mavericks.