Cooper Flagg is averaging 25.2 points and 6.5 assists in his second NBA season, according to Shaun Powell's NBA.com analysis. The 19-year-old has become Dallas's central long-term building piece while taking on greater responsibility with the ball.
The Mavericks are 4-3 at the article's cut-off and 4-1 when Flagg and Kyrie Irving both play. Irving averages 21 points alongside his younger teammate.
Passing decisions draw coaching praise
New coach Dusty May highlights Flagg's timing, vision and ability to read the court. In comments reported by NBA.com, he praises the forward for releasing the ball at the right moment rather than holding it to chase an assist.
Flagg leads Dallas in assists and recorded 11 against Miami. Powell connects that development with last season's experiments at point guard, which helped his dribbling and ability to find teammates against double-teams.
Progress has included difficult nights too: Flagg shot three for 19 against Sacramento in the performance cited by the article.
A partnership still developing
Flagg says there is room for him and Irving to help each other more as they learn together. Irving emphasises their aim to win.
Powell views the coming months as a period in which Dallas will assess how best to build around Flagg. That is the author's analysis of future choices as management evaluates the current team.
Flagg describes daily improvement as the purpose of his summer work. The next matchup highlighted is San Antonio, scheduled for 09:30 Vietnam time on November 5, offering another test of his expanding role.