Cooper Flagg is about to make his rookie season look like a warmup for the Mavericks

Cooper Flagg took the NBA by storm as a rookie for the Dallas Mavericks. He averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.8 percent from the field, ultimately winning Rookie of the Year over former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel.

Flagg was clearly the best rookie in the NBA, and he played better than most Mavericks fans originally imagined. His offensive game was far more developed than expected, and his finishing, despite some early doubts before the draft, became one of the staples of his game. Coop was the entire package for Dallas, but his rookie year was just the beginning for him.

He's poised to have a breakout year with Kyrie Irving returning from an ACL tear after missing all of last season, and there's a great chance that his sophomore season blows his first season out of the water.

Flagg can follow in the footsteps of Doncic and James

This is typical for young players who showcase All-NBA potential during their rookie seasons. Just take a look at LeBron James and Luka Doncic's growth over their first two seasons in the league.

Both Doncic and James went from being named Rookie of the Year to making an All-NBA team in the following season, and Flagg could easily be on the same path after seeing how well he played last season. He is already extremely comfortable with the ball in his hands, he is a menace on defense and in transition, and his turnaround jumper is improving. The young forward got better in every game that he played in, and his work ethic will help take him to new heights in a transition year for the Mavericks.

Flagg's offseason should fuel his sophomore leap

Dallas' roster looks completely revamped after missing the NBA Playoffs for the second year in a row, but if one thing is for certain, it's that Flagg is the team's franchise cornerstone. It didn't take him long to prove that he was ready for the rigors of the NBA last season, and his offseason of work will be put to the test at the beginning of next month when the preseason begins.

Some of his biggest focuses this offseason have been shooting and shot creation, and he's going to look even more dominant if he takes serious strides in both areas. Flagg shot 29.5 percent from three as a rookie, a significant drop from the 38.5 percent he shot from long range at Duke, and becoming a league-average 3-point shooter would be a massive revelation for his game.

Defenses couldn't afford to leave him open, allowing him to take overcommitted defenders all the way to the rim for an easy two. This would also open up his mid-range game, allowing him to take defenders off the bounce when attacking a closeout.

Becoming an elite shot creator would turn Flagg into a superstar

One of the most impressive parts about Flagg's rookie season was that he still put up 21.0 points per game without being an elite shot creator. He did a good job of getting to the rim, and his turnaround mid-range jumper became one of his go-to shots by the end of the season, but his shot creation could definitely use some work.

Flagg being able to consistently create good looks for himself will help his scoring numbers skyrocket, and he could find himself making his first NBA All-Star Game if he helps Dallas surpass expectations and silence the doubters.

Mavericks fans fell in love with Flagg's game as a teenage rookie, but his rookie year is just the tip of the iceberg. His year-two leap could make his impressive first season look like a warmup.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow