Mavericks inside star: It s crazy to draw the No. 1 pick, I will help Flag integrate into the team

The Dallas Mavericks won Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 pick in this year's NBA Draft. Previously, the Mavericks' inside star Dereck Lively II also talked about the Mavericks' draw with an extremely low probability and how he will help No. 1 Cooper Flagg in the new season.

When talking about the feeling of the Mavericks winning the No. 1 pick with a very low probability, Lefley said: That was definitely a crazy moment, and we are all grateful for it. After hearing this, our entire team welcomed him (Frager) with open arms. Speaking about how to help the rookie Flag in the new season, Lefly continued: I called him early, he always had a smile on his face, he was still the big boy who likes to joke. So, I want to try my best to make him feel comfortable in the new environment, and I will also provide him with anything to rely on in details. If he has any questions, he can come to me at any time. Because I remember very clearly how scared and nervous I was when I was in his position to attend the draft, the rookie would definitely have some problems after entering the league, and I thought I would do my own role and give him enough support.

Flag was born in December 2006 and is not yet 19 years old. According to the data in the joint trial physical test session before the draft, Flag's bare feet were 202.6cm, his wingspan was 213.4cm, his standing height was 270.5cm, and his weight was 100.2kg. In the NCAA game last season, Flag made a total of 37 appearances for Duke, his team, and averaged 30.5 minutes per game, with averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks, and 2.1 turnovers and 1.9 fouls. He shot 48.1%, three-point shooting percentage 38.5%, and free throw shooting percentage 84%. In the previous NBA summer league, Flag played 2 times for the Mavericks, averaging 31.4 minutes per game, with averaging 20.5 points, 5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1 block, and 1.5 turnovers and 1.5 fouls. His shooting percentage was 35.7%, his three-point shooting percentage was 21.4%, and his free throw shooting percentage was 57.1%.

Lefly was born in February 2004. He is 216cm tall and weighs 104kg. He is the inside player selected by the Mavericks in the 12th pick in the first round in the 2023 NBA Draft. In the NBA regular season last season, Lefly made a total of 36 appearances, averaging 23.1 minutes per game, averaging 8.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.6 steals and 1.6 blocks, and 1.1 turnovers and 2.8 fouls, with a shooting percentage of 70.2% and a free throw percentage of 63%. Although Lefley is two years older than Flag, they are both players from Duke University. They are also the top five-star high school students in the United States back then. Therefore, the two have a good personal relationship. With Lefley's existence, I believe Flag can be more smoothly integrated into the Mavericks system.