Cooper Flagg makes statement on Lakers' Luka Doncic trade ahead of NBA Draft

It seems like everyone in the basketball world had a reaction to the Los Angeles Lakers’ blockbuster trade for Luka Doncic on Feb. 2. 

Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 projected pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, was the latest member of the community to chime in on the NBA-altering deal. 

“I remember being with all of my guys,” Flagg told the Dallas Morning News’ Mike Curtis on Tuesday. “That might’ve been the night we played UNC... We were all hanging out. My teammate, Darren Harris, was the first one to see the Shams (Charania) post. We just started going crazy. It was such a shock.”

The 18-year-old future All-Star forward’s initial reaction to the midseason trade isn’t surprising. 

The Dallas Mavericks reached the NBA Finals in 2024 with Doncic as their primary scoring option and leader, and they hoped to build on their success from the previous season. 

However, the Mavericks didn’t view the five-time All-Star as a long-term piece after watching him get dusted off the dribble nightly and take an unhealthy number of plays off, prompting them to send him to the Lakers for Anthony Davis. 

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Although Doncic’s conditioning and on-ball defense were noticeable issues with the Lakers toward the end of the regular season, he gave fans a glimpse of what’s to come in Los Angeles. 

Doncic, a stellar 6-foot-6 shot creator and distributor, averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game with the Lakers, shooting 43.8% from the field and 37.9% from downtown. 

Once Flagg joins the NBA on Wednesday night, the Duke product will get a chance to compete against the future Hall of Fame guard at least twice a year.

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