“Watch Out, West. Watch Out” – Magic Johnson Fires NBA Warning as Mavericks Look to Build Potential Superteam With Cooper Flagg

Akash Vaishnav

Last updated: June 13, 2025

2 min read

Magic Johnson backs Mavericks’ No.1 pick hype as Cooper Flagg draws comparisons with NBA greats

Image Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The NBA Draft 2025 will take center stage once the Finals wrap up next week. Hype is growing as top college talents prepare to enter the NBA Draft. The draft event will be taking place in Brooklyn on June 25th.

Duke Blue Devils’ Cooper Flagg is one such talent, widely expected to have a high ceiling in the pros. The Dallas Mavericks are projected to pick the 18-year-old with their number one lottery pick later this month.

Cooper Flagg plans to have a private visit with the Mavericks in Dallas on June 17, sources tell ESPN. One week after his first official Mavs visit, Flagg is set to be Dallas' No. 1 pick in the NBA draft on June 25. pic.twitter.com/hznGD60Kch
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 8, 2025

NBA legend Magic Johnson was full of praise for Flagg. He suggested that the West will have to watch out as Mavericks are poised to get stronger. They not only have a likely Cooper Flagg pick but also few veteran stars that are going to come stronger from the off season.

Magic Johnson said, “Listen. I’m gonna tell you something, If that boy, Cooper Flagg, is who we think he is, and I think he’s going to be a better pro than he was in college. If you put him and Klay Thompson and those two centers they have, and Jason Kidd has them running, and Kyrie’s at his best and healthy? Watch out, West. Watch out.”

“Swiss Knife” Tag Fits Flagg Well

Former NBA All-Star Baron Davis has compared Cooper Flagg to Utah Jazz legend Andrei Kirilenko. He also dubbed the 18-year-old a “Swiss knife” for his versatility. Flagg’s versatility on both ends of the court is out made him such a threat in the NCAA.

He can contribute offensively and defensively filling up multiple roles whenever the team requires. Cooper Flagg impressed offensively, averaging 19.2 points per game at Duke. He can also develop his defensive abilities as his size could cause trouble for opponents in the paint.

Andrei Kirilenko who played for the Utah Jazz for a decade also had the same build, and two way capabilities. Baron Davis urged the Mavericks to use Flagg the way the Jazz utilized Kirilenko to unlock his full potential.

Cooper Flagg

Dallas Mavericks

Magic Johnson

NBA Draft 2025

Akash Vaishnav

nba

wnba

I cover NBA at the Playoffs. I specialize in covering breaking news, Previews, in in-depth analysis (breaking down numbers, complex stats, nuances of the game, and converting them into reader-friendly content). Furthermore, I got into the sports media while looking for an entry into the media industry. I love International Relations, and since entry without majoring in the subject was difficult, I got into sports. Now, while majoring in International Relations on one side, I also like covering sports as part of the journey as a young Journalist.