Cooper Flagg is encouraged to turn down the Mavs since he has more reasons than anyone to rejoin Jon Scheyer’s Duke Blue Devils basketball program.
Cooper Flagg stands at the crossroads of a young basketball career that already brims with promise, intrigue, and hype. A generational talent by most scouting accounts, Flagg’s game, persona, and trajectory have quickly captured the attention of the basketball world. The buzz surrounding his potential entry into the NBA via the Dallas Mavericks only adds to the growing legend. But amid all the noise and opportunity, a compelling case exists for Flagg to turn down the Mavericks—or any NBA team for that matter—for at least one more year and rejoin Jon Scheyer and the Duke Blue Devils basketball program.
The reasons for such a decision extend far beyond sentimental loyalty or the standard narrative of “unfinished business.” For Flagg, it’s about development, timing, legacy, and leveraging his rare combination of visibility and upside in a way that positions him not just to succeed at the professional level but to dominate from day one. Despite his NBA-readiness, the unique context surrounding his current stage offers a far more strategic benefit in remaining at Duke than jumping prematurely into the NBA furnace.
At Duke, Flagg has a rare setup—one that combines elite coaching with a system custom-built for his skillset. Scheyer has already shown he understands how to utilize Flagg as a multidimensional weapon. Whether he is anchoring the defense, initiating the offense, or creating mismatches from the wing, Flagg is allowed to play freely in a way that few college stars can. Scheyer’s version of the Blue Devils is not just a traditional powerhouse running on reputation—it is a machine that adapts to its personnel, and Flagg is the engine that can take it to a national championship. Returning would mean a full season as the focal point of a team with realistic title hopes, with the added benefit of refining leadership qualities that translate directly to NBA locker rooms.
The emotional connection also matters, even if it shouldn’t be the primary factor. Flagg has already become a beloved figure in Durham. He embodies everything that Duke fans crave: hard-nosed defense, elite basketball IQ, and a blue-collar approach wrapped in five-star talent. He’s a throwback in many ways—a modern player who would have fit just as easily in the grind-it-out ACC of the early 2000s as he does in today’s pace-and-space environment. He gives Duke an identity, and Duke gives him a platform. Another year on campus could elevate him into a college basketball legend, not just a footnote on the way to NBA stardom. That kind of legacy has value, especially in the NIL era where being a college superstar can be both lucrative and fulfilling.
From a purely basketball development standpoint, there’s a strong argument that Flagg hasn’t yet reached his ceiling—and that’s a good thing. While he is NBA-ready in terms of motor, feel, and instincts, there are physical and tactical aspects of his game that can still improve in the crucible of elite college competition. His shot, while effective, lacks the consistency from deep range that is almost a prerequisite for wing stars in today’s NBA. Another year in the gym under Duke’s staff could solidify that part of his game. The same goes for his ability to handle double-teams, command tempo, and make high-level reads under pressure—all skills that are exponentially more difficult to hone in the NBA, where every mistake can cost games and confidence.
The current situation with the Dallas Mavericks specifically raises additional flags—no pun intended. While the franchise boasts two of the game’s brightest stars in Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, it’s not a given that Flagg’s game would mesh seamlessly with their ball-dominant styles. The Mavericks are built to win now, and their rotations, lineups, and game plans are tailored toward maximizing their current title window. A young player like Flagg, no matter how talented, might find himself relegated to a role that does little to advance his long-term development. The NBA is filled with stories of can’t-miss prospects whose confidence and growth were stunted because they were placed in environments that didn’t prioritize their development. In Dallas, Flagg would be a third or fourth option at best, learning on the fly while trying not to derail a contender’s run. That’s a far cry from being the face of a program like Duke for another year.
There’s also the question of maturity—not just emotional but situational. The NBA lifestyle, while glamorous, is a minefield of distractions. For an athlete like Flagg, who carries the burden of expectations that stretch beyond the hardwood, stepping into that environment prematurely can dilute focus. At Duke, he is insulated by a system that supports him wholly—mentally, physically, and socially. The college experience, when embraced fully, offers more than just minutes and stats. It provides structure, community, and an opportunity to grow as a leader in a way that NBA locker rooms often can’t. Flagg would return to Duke not as a prospect, but as the guy—the experienced veteran with real stakes and responsibility. That dynamic builds a foundation that can’t be faked or rushed.
Financially, the calculus is changing too. With the growth of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals, Flagg stands to make millions even while playing at the collegiate level. While it’s true the NBA offers the promise of long-term wealth, the risk of early entry without the guarantee of a role or security is higher than ever. At Duke, Flagg can secure his financial future while also betting on his upward trajectory. Another year of dominating college basketball with national exposure could catapult his draft stock even higher, potentially landing him in a better situation with a team more suited to building around him, not just plugging him in.
The landscape of college basketball itself is shifting, and Flagg has a chance to be at the center of that evolution. College stars now hold more sway, not less. The narrative that the NBA is the only stage worth playing on is being challenged, and players like Flagg are the proof. He has the chance to show that staying doesn’t mean settling—that development, team success, and personal growth can matter just as much as a rookie contract. There’s power in that message, and there’s even more power in living it.
His return would also send ripples across the sport. It would reshape the national title conversation overnight, make Duke the team to beat, and elevate college basketball’s profile during a time when it badly needs stars with staying power. The move would redefine what it means to be a top prospect in the modern era—not as someone desperate to reach the NBA as soon as possible, but as someone who understands that greatness takes time and context.
Ultimately, Cooper Flagg has more reason than almost anyone to rejoin Jon Scheyer and the Duke Blue Devils. The setup, the system, the stakes—it all points toward one more season of college dominance. Turning down the Mavericks, or any NBA team that might call, isn’t a rejection of ambition. It’s a commitment to the process, a bet on himself, and a sign that true greatness is measured not just by how fast you arrive, but by how completely you’re ready when you do. Flagg has a chance to be a legend at Duke, not just a blip on the NBA radar. That kind of opportunity doesn’t come often—and it’s one he’d be wise to seize.
