The Dallas Mavericks decided to shut down rookie Cooper Flagg shortly after his second game in the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA Las Vegas Summer League earlier this month, despite his strong performance. This move sparked criticism from Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green, who questioned why first-year players like Flagg face shutdowns while veteran players receive widespread scrutiny for their use of load management.
Although Green did not directly name Flagg, his comments clearly addressed the situation of the top overall draft pick, who was sidelined following a 31-point game in his second summer league appearance.
I find it very interesting that players get bashed for ‘load management’ but rookies get shut down during summer league these days … fascinating huh,
Green stated on Threads this week.
Load Management in the NBA Remains a Complex Issue
The NBA has closely examined load management in recent years amid ongoing fan complaints about star players resting during the season. A report released by the league in January 2024 analyzed data from ten seasons but did not conclusively prove that sitting players reduces their injury risk. This backdrop adds complexity to decisions like the Mavericks’ choice to rest Flagg early on.
Flagg’s 21-point game marked the highest scoring effort by a No. 1 pick in summer league since John Wall’s performance in 2010, highlighting the rookie’s potential impact.
Flagg’s Development Plans and Upcoming Schedule
Matt MacKenzie, Flagg’s longtime player development coach, provided an update on the rookie’s status with CBS Sports. Following his summer league shutdown, Flagg will return to Dallas to settle in and train at the Mavericks’ practice facility before heading to Maine in August for additional workouts and a basketball camp.
Cooper will head back to Dallas to get settled in and workout at the Mavs practice facility before heading to Maine in August for a couple weeks,
MacKenzie explained.
He’s headlining a basketball camp for a couple days, and we’ll continue his training up there as he prepares looks ahead to the rookie transition program and the start of training camp.
Coach Kidd’s Strategy to Prepare Flagg for an Increased Role
The rookie admitted feeling exhausted after appearing in consecutive games and handling most of the ball-carrying duties. Dallas coach Jason Kidd described this early workload as intentional, aiming to push Flagg out of his comfort zone since veteran star Kyrie Irving will likely miss much of the upcoming regular season due to a knee injury.
Green Highlights Flagg’s Unique Situation Among Rookies
Draymond Green has previously acknowledged that Flagg benefits from a rare advantage as the top draft choice, entering a roster with established superstars Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis. This positioning removes the pressure often placed on rookies to immediately carry their teams.
I don’t think he could have asked for anything better as the No. 1 pick,
Green remarked on the Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis last month.
You ain’t gotta go average 25 points on a bad team or 20 points on a bad team.
Implications for Rookie Management and NBA Practices
The Mavericks’ cautious approach in managing Flagg’s workload reflects broader league challenges balancing player health and fan expectations. Green’s critique underscores ongoing debates about fairness in load management, particularly when comparing treatment of veteran stars to promising rookies. As Flagg progresses through the preseason and the rookie transition program, his development will be closely watched, both as a key asset for Dallas and as a case study in rookie workload policies.