“His defensive prowess excites me the most”- Matt Barnes backs Cooper Flagg ahead of NBA 2025-26 debut

Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg is close to making his NBA debut. The 18-year-old has quickly become a big name in basketball, as many compare his hype to Zion Williamson’s debut back in 2019. Recently, the former NBA champion Matt Barnes expressed his excitement about Flagg’s debut. He reflected his thoughts about Flagg in Kevin Gray Jr.’s DLLS Mavs podcast. Talking about Cooper Flagg’s game and his potential to succeed at the highest level, Matt Barnes pointed out that the rookie has the skills to defend any position. During an appearance on the widely watched podcast DLLS Mavs, the former NBA legend revealed being impressed with Cooper Flagg’s athletic prowess. Barnes said, “I absolutely love Cooper Flagg. I coach my kids in AAU, so I got to see him for one season, and what stood out to me the most was his effort and energy. What excites me most is his defensive prowess. He can be someone in today’s NBA who can guard any position. On offense, he is freakishly athletic and continues to improve his jumper. I am really excited for his future.”Matt Barnes also spoke about how the Dallas Mavericks must handle this big opportunity. The veteran noted the importance of giving Flagg the right platform to showcase his talent. Matt Barnes believes the Dallas Mavericks need to create the right environment for Cooper Flagg. According to Barnes, with veterans around him, Flagg could grow into a key player for the Mavericks. “Somehow, someway, that was a favor because Dallas wasn’t a bad team; they shouldn’t have been the number one team to get the pick,” Barnes discussed. “On the flip side, it’s so important as a young player to go to an organization that’s stable, has veterans, and has great leadership. The ownership of the Dallas Mavericks has to show that now, their job is not to f**k it up because they’ve done some questionable things in their short time [since] taking over from Mark Cuban”, he added. Also Read: "He’s Miserable" - Jonathan Kuminga Is Ready Leave His Golden Days Behind And Find Out What's Out ThereBarnes also warned that the Mavericks must meet expectations. He noted that making it to the playoffs should be the minimum goal after the team lost the final against the Boston Celtics last year.