Cooper Flagg's summer focus will help him unlock his superstar potential

Cooper Flagg enters the 2026-27 campaign following a phenomenal rookie season. 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, and this was just the beginning of a career that has the potential to be legendary.

Cooper Flagg is working to become a better shot creator

Flagg's defense, finishing around the rim, and athleticism made him a monster as a rookie for the Dallas Mavericks, but he still has a ways to go before becoming one of the faces of the NBA. He's looking to improve his shooting, which will certainly help after he shot below 30 percent from three last season, but he's also working hard to become a better shot creator.

Flagg talked about this during a recent interview with the NBA when the interviewer asked him what he's been working the hardest on this summer, and him becoming an elite shot creator would help him turn into one of the best players in the world. He has to become better with the ball in his hands to reach his full potential, and he's focused on that this offseason.

While he showed promise as a scorer off the dribble as a rookie, particularly when he would get into the paint and finish at the rim or with a floater, he has to improve even more in this area if he wants to be one of the best players in the NBA. Most of the league's best players primarily operate as an offensive engine, and while Flagg is at his best when playing off-ball right now, he has potential to change that.

Flagg has already shown strong flashes as a creator

Last season, some of Flagg's best qualities as a shot creator were his slashing with the ball in his hands and his mid-range jumper. His shooting needs some work, but if his 3-point shot improves, he should be able to turn into a three-level scorer.

He's also confident with the ball in his hands, whether he's bringing it up the court or operating out of the half court, and these things bode well for his potential future as an offensive engine as well.

Flagg is in position to play some point guard again next season, and even though he struggled some in this role as a rookie, the growing pains are going to be worth it. He has to get used to being a No. 1 option on offense if he wants to turn into one of the best players in the league, and this is where his summer work on shot creation will come in handy.

This should help him become more comfortable scoring off the bounce while going both directions, and being able to score in isolation situations is a prime trait of many of the best players in the world. Flagg can certainly do this to some degree already, but he has plenty of room to grow and master this skill.

Flagg is a tireless worker, and if he takes a massive jump as a self-creator, he's going to be well on his way to being one of the faces of the NBA. His passing and finishing are already great for a teenager, and he's going to be even more dominant once his overall shot creation takes a tick up.

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