Cooper Flagg’s year-two superstar leap is scary similar to Luka Doncic's

The Dallas Mavericks didn't deserve Cooper Flagg after trading their franchise cornerstone, Luka Doncic, but even more unprecedented than Dallas getting the opportunity to select Flagg is the fact that he's on the same trajectory as Doncic once was.

After winning Rookie of the Year, Doncic took a massive leap in year two, and Flagg is already on track to take a leap of the same magnitude in his own right. Flagg and Doncic have wildly different playstyles, of course, but the fashion in which they have improved from their first season to their second season is looking eerily similar already.

Doncic went from a star in his rookie season to a bona fide superstar in year two, as his points, rebounds, and assists per game all increased significantly. Flagg is on the same track in terms of his points, assists, and steals per game. He's averaging 25.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 6.9 assists, and 2.2 steals per game through 10 contests this season.

Cooper Flagg is making a year-two leap on par with Luka Doncic's

Beyond the statistical comparison, Flagg is meeting the eye test, similar to how Doncic did in his second season. Obviously, Dallas has a far better supporting cast compared to last year, with Kyrie Irving and company in the lineup now, but they wouldn't be 7-4 if it weren't for Flagg playing at an All-Star level.

He's bringing the energy every night and impacting the game at a higher level defensively compared to his rookie season. He also isn't having to struggle with the growing pains he did as a rookie, as he's much more comfortable as a ball handler after having played point guard last season, and is reading defenses in a more strategic way, evidenced by his playmaking getting to another level.

It's still early in the season, of course, but after a season-high 43 points and multiple clutch buckets to seal the win against the Indiana Pacers on a second night of a back-to-back on Monday, it's hard to make the argument that Flagg isn't a top-15 player in the NBA. He's even roughly a year younger than Doncic was in his second season, which makes it scary to think about what his true prime could actually look like.

Flagg is doing something rarely seen from a teenager

The Mavericks weren't projected to make the playoffs in Doncic's second year, nor was Doncic projected to reach All-NBA status so quickly. Based on how things look through 11 games, the Mavericks have a pretty solid chance of returning to the playoffs this season, and Flagg would have a legitimate case to make an All-NBA team if the season ended today.

What Flagg is doing at 19 years old in the league is simply uncanny, as he's in rare air in terms of being this elite as a teenager. He has a mix of competitiveness, cerebral ability, athleticism, size, and relentlessness that really only compares to LeBron James when he came into the league, as far as the modern era is concerned.

As terrible as the Doncic trade saga was, Mavericks fans can confidently look toward a gleaming new era with Flagg at the helm, as he doesn't just have the makings of a superstar before being legally allowed to drink, but is already one.

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