THIS ISN’T THE way Cooper Flagg envisioned his rookie season unfolding.

Flagg expected to be the rare No. 1 pick who gets playoff experience right away, feeling fortunate to have landed with a franchise that featured a few veteran future Hall of Famers after the Dallas Mavericks cashed in 1.8% chances to win last spring’s draft lottery.

Reality has been a rough contrast as Flagg’s season rolls past the midway point. The Mavs are 18-26 and in 12th place in the Western Conference, putting Dallas on the path to getting another single-digit draft pick to pair with Flagg.

Anthony Davis, acquired as the centerpiece of last year’s blockbuster deal that eventually led to general manager Nico Harrison’s early-season firing, has played only 20 games this season due to a variety of injuries. He might never wear a Mavs uniform again, pending trade discussions leading up to the Feb. 5 deadline as he recovers from ligament damage in his left hand.

The return date of Kyrie Irving, the co-star on the Mavs’ 2024-25 NBA Finals team, as he recovers from a torn ACL suffered in early March remains to be determined. He has yet to be cleared to practice, and while Irving has made it clear that he hopes to play this season, sources anticipate that, considering the Mavs’ place in the standings, there will be discussions about postponing his comeback until next season.

As disappointing as the season has been for Dallas, Flagg is getting generally rave reviews from opposing coaches, scouts and executives polled by ESPN.

“He’s better than advertised, if that’s possible,” a Western Conference scouting director said.

FLAGG STRUGGLED with efficiency early in the season when he was starting at point guard, a position he had never played. Mavs coach Jason Kidd ended that experiment after the first seven games, with 6-foot-9 Flagg averaging 13.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists while shooting only 38.8% from the floor.

Flagg has averaged 19.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists while shooting 49.2% from the floor in 34 games since shifting back to primarily playing his natural forward position.

“I think it’s a lot of pressure and a lot of responsibility that comes with being a point guard, and I don’t know if I was ready for that or if I was ready to handle that right off the bat,” Flagg said in November. “I tried my best, and I mean, that’s not to say I can’t go back to it and can’t work on it and get better, but I think it’s just worked out where it’s been better to have somebody else helping out, relieving pressure. … It wasn’t perfect, but I think I learned a lot through that.”

Even when Flagg struggles, he stands out to opposing coaches and executives. Philadelphia’s Nick Nurse noted Flagg’s ability to “regather his composure” throughout games despite dealing with the mental and physical fatigue that comes with playing heavy minutes while handling a lot of responsibilities.

“His greatest strength is his competitiveness,” a West GM said. “He’s a motherf—er.”

Several coaches have commented on Flagg’s relentless effort regardless of circumstances.

“When he doesn’t play well, I still really like watching him play because of the way he plays,” Nuggets coach David Adelman said. “The intensity, I think that takes you a long way because you’re going to go through ups and downs when you’re young. He’s really impressive.”

Flagg’s blend of size, skill and feel for the game is unique, but it’s his competitive character that earns the most praise from people around the league.

“It’s very rare that you get a guy that is that skilled and he plays the hardest of anybody on both sides of the floor,” an East scout said. “That’s a winning player.”

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Cooper Flagg goes coast-to-coast for 2

Cooper Flagg grabs the rebound and finishes at the other end of the floor with a layup.

FLAGG ARRIVED IN the NBA with as much hype and anticipation as any American prospect since arguably LeBron James 23 years before.

James was the only frequent reference point for Flagg’s offensive production as an 18-year-old. Flagg, who turned 19 on Dec. 21, broke James’ NBA records for the most points (42) and assists (11) in a game at 18. James is the only player ever to score more points per game at that age, averaging 20.2 points as an 18-year-old, compared with Flagg’s 18.8.

Talent evaluators consider Flagg’s scoring to be somewhat of a pleasant surprise. He was the consensus top-ranked player on draft boards because of his all-around impact, but there was some skepticism that Flagg could be a primary scorer, especially early in his career.

“I actually thought his offense would take longer than it has,” a West general manager said. “All these guys being out has given him freedom to explore and expand his game. He’s so big, and he’s realized he can just get to his spots. I’ve always thought he’d be that 1B [offensive option], but he’s an alpha for your team. He plugs every gap.”

Flagg, the only rookie to rank among the top three in his class in total points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals, is the betting favorite for Rookie of the Year. His primary competitor for that honor is Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel, Flagg’s roommate last season at Duke. Knueppel is averaging 19.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. He’s shooting 43.5% from 3-point range and is on pace to shatter Keegan Murray‘s rookie record of 206 3s made.

Flagg’s most glaring weakness is his 3-point shot (28.6%), a facet of his game that people around the league predict will develop as he reworks his shot mechanics during offseason work. But he’s shooting 53.5% inside the arc, beating defenders with a blend of skill and physicality, a frightening thought considering that he’ll add significant bulk and strength as his body matures.

“The biggest thing that stands out to me is his athleticism,” a West scout said. “If I’m the GM here, I’m adding as much shooting as possible and building around him for a long time.”

Flagg has already proved to be an outstanding driver despite Dallas’ spacing issues due to a lack of perimeter shooting. According to NBA Advanced Stats, Flagg ranks 12th in the league with 339 points off drives, shooting 53.5% in those situations.

Scouting reports note that Flagg is especially effective as a left-handed driver and finisher despite being a natural righty. He’s the only player in the league with at least 60 made layups and dunks with his left hand and with his right hand, according to ESPN Research. He has 109 attempted layups and dunks with his left hand this season, the second most of any righty in the league, trailing only Atlanta’s Nickeil Alexander-Walker, according to GeniusIQ tracking. He also often makes floaters and hooks in traffic with his off hand.

“His ability to finish with both hands in traffic at the rim and just outside the lane and restricted area is impressive,” an East scout said. “He’s a hard left driver. I think teams will pick up on that more and more, which could lower his efficiency.”

Flagg has wowed the league’s veterans with his poise, prompting three-time MVP Nikola Jokic to say the teenager “looked really mature out there” after Flagg’s 33-point, 9-rebound, 9-assist performance in a Dec. 23 win over the Denver Nuggets. Flagg has shown that he’s remarkably comfortable as the primary option closing games. He ranks seventh in the league in clutch points (72) and assists (13) in clutch situations, defined as the score being within five points in the final five minutes of regulation or overtime.

“He’s what everyone thought he would be,” a West pro personnel director said. “He’s 18 years old and closing out games — making shots and making plays to close games. That’s just not normal. That’s something really special.”

ESPN’s Matt Williams contributed to this story.

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha is attracting interest from Manchester United and Chelsea, while Robert Lewandowski is heading out of Barcelona.

Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.

Transfers home page | Men’s winter grades | Women’s grades

TRANSFERS TO WATCH

TRENDING RUMORS

– Manchester United and Chelsea are interested in Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha, according to Sky Germany. The 25-year-old has impressed with a regular slot in Dortmund’s midfield this season and the club are hoping to renegotiate his contract, which runs out in 2028. However, Nmecha — who came through Manchester City‘s youth team and whose older brother, Lukas, plays for Leeds United — has previously intimated that he would like to play in the Premier League.

– Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski won’t leave the club in January, but he will move to MLS in the summer, Sky Germany reports. The 37-year-old is also wanted by Saudi Pro League clubs but favours a move to the U.S., and he’s prepared to wait until the end of the season to ensure the right switch. The Poland international has been on the Barça bench in five consecutive matches and his time in La Liga is coming to an end. His contract expires in June.

– Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with West Ham United winger Crysencio Summerville and Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones, according to the Daily Mail. Under-pressure Spurs boss Thomas Frank is still looking for someone to occupy the left-wing position vacated by Son Heung-min, with Summerville touted as a potential target. Meanwhile, Jones is another target for Frank, though his move could be trickier to achieve given his desire to stay at his boyhood club, Liverpool, for his entire career. Jones remains a key player for Arne Slot, though he has been in and out of the Liverpool side this season.

– Aston Villa had been chasing striker Tammy Abraham, but they have turned their attention to wantaway Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and AC Milan‘s Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The Telegraph reports that Loftus-Cheek, 29, is seen as an ideal short-term replacement for Boubacar Kamara, who Villa fear could miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. Meanwhile, The Athletic reports that Mateta has told Palace officials that he wants to leave the South London club, and Villa see the 28-year-old Frenchman as an easier deal to negotiate than Abraham. Palace, in turn, are evaluating a move for Villa forward Evann Guessand.

– Chelsea are closing in on their first signing under new manager Liam Rosenior, according to The Athletic. Teenage Sheffield Wednesday defender Yisa Alao could move to Stamford Bridge in a £500,000 deal which would rise to £1 million with add-ons. Manchester United have already had a £450,000 bid rejected for the 17-year-old.

DONE DEALS

To follow…

OTHER RUMORS

– Bournemouth have reached an agreement with Lazio over the loan of goalkeeper Christos Mandas. (Talksport)

– Barcelona are focusing their efforts on landing Norwich City’s teenage winger Ajay Tavarez. The 16-year-old can leave the Canaries due to his European passport from his Portuguese roots. (Mundo Deportivo)

– Burnley are looking to bolster their midfield and want to sign out-of-favour West Ham midfielder James Ward-Prowse on loan until the end of the season. (Sky Sports)

– Middlesbrough look to have beaten Birmingham City to the signing of Brighton midfielder Jeremy Sarmiento. (Talksport)

– Norwich City are close to agreeing a loan move for Manchester United’s 18-year-old defender Harry Amass, who spent the first half of the season at Sheffield Wednesday. (The Pinkun)

– Everton and Nottingham Forest have made enquiries about Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor, who has fallen down the pecking order at the Stadium of Light. (Sky Sports)

– Ethan Nwaneri‘s loan move to Marseille is edging closer, with the 18-year-old in France undergoing a medical. His temporary switch comes with no permanent option. (The Athletic)

– The mass exodus from Selhurst Park looks set to continue, with Jesurun Rak-Sakyi the latest player linked with an exit. The 23 year old is a target for Celtic and Stoke City. (Sky Sports)

– James McAtee could leave Nottingham Forest. One unnamed Premier League club, and a number of German clubs are interested in the 23-year-old midfielder. (The Sun)

– Bournemouth are on the verge of replacing Antoine Semenyo with Vasco de Gama forward Rayan in a deal believed to be worth £30.5 million. (Sky Sports)

– Oleksandr Zinchenko was already having a medical at Ajax ahead of a loan move, but already the Dutch giants are hoping to make the move permanent. (Daily Mail)

– Chelsea will recall David Datro Fofana from his loan spell in Turkey before letting him join Leicester City. The 23-year-old had scored eight goals in 15 appearances in Super Lig action. (Standard)

– Manchester City midfielder Oscar Bobb is closing in on a £35m transfer to Fulham, with the two clubs now negotiating on the structure of the deal. (Daily Mail)

– Norwich City have made an audacious bid to sign striker Kasper Høgh from Norwegian side Bodo Glimt. The 25-year-old has scored 17 goals in 28 league games this season. (Talksport)

– Mathys Tel and Randal Kolo Muani could be on the move in January, with both players uncertain about their futures at Tottenham. (Teamtalk)

– Napoli, Juventus and Aston Villa are all monitoring the situation of Fenerbahce forward Youssef En-Nesyri, with all three sides in touch with the Turkish club in the last 24 hours. (Fabrizio Romano)

– West Ham are expecting some ins and outs this month, and have checked in on defender Axel Disasi‘s situation at Chelsea. (Daily Mail)

– Sporting CP have signed Senegalese winger Souleymane Faye from Granada in a deal worth around EURO6m. (Mundo Deportivo)

Pakistan U19 will be aiming to end their group-stage fixtures of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup on a winning note when they take on Zimbabwe U19 at the Takashinga Sports Club in Harare today (Thursday).

The Asian champions, who are part of Group ‘C’ in the ongoing mega event, defeated Scotland by six wickets on Monday, while they suffered a 37-run defeat against England on Friday.

The Farhan Yousaf-led Pakistan side, who recently won the tri-series in Zimbabwe by beating the hosts by nine wickets in the final, will be expecting their players to replicate those performances in tomorrow’s important encounter.

The first ball of the match will be bowled at 9.30am local time, with the toss scheduled at 9am, according to a PCB statement.

In head-to-head contests, Pakistan U19 and Zimbabwe U19 have faced each other 18 times, with Pakistan winning 15 matches.

Zimbabwe have won once, while two matches ended with no result due to rain.

As per the format of the 16-team, four-group tournament, the top three sides from each group will qualify for the Super Six stage.

The top three teams from Group ‘B’ will join the three qualifiers from Group ‘C’ to form one Super Six group.

Similarly, the top three teams from Group ‘A’ will combine with the three qualifiers from Group ‘D’ in the other group.

Pakistan, who are currently placed second in Group ‘C’, are likely to face B3 at the Harare Sports Club on January 27, before taking on B1 at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on February 1.

The top two teams from each Super Six group will qualify for the semi-finals, scheduled to be played on February 3 and 4.

The final of the tournament will be played at the Harare Sports Club in Harare on February 6.

15-member squad:

Farhan Yousaf (captain), Usman Khan (vice-captain), Abdul Subhan, Ahmed Hussain, Ali Hasan Baloch, Ali Raza, Daniyal Ali Khan, Hamza Zahoor (wk), Huzaifa Ahsan, Momin Qamar, Mohammad Sayyam, Mohammad Shayan (wk), Niqab Shafiq, Sameer Minhas and Umar Zaib