Gilbert Arenas discusses why Cooper Flagg has the ideal opportunity to make mistakes with the Mavs: “They’re going to blame AD.”

Gilbert Arenas, known for his unfiltered and often provocative takes on the NBA, has weighed in on the highly anticipated arrival of Cooper Flagg in the league, specifically with the Dallas Mavericks.¹ According to Arenas, Flagg, the presumptive No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft who was indeed selected by the Mavericks, has an “ideal opportunity to make mistakes” without bearing the primary burden of blame. The reason for this unique shield, per Arenas: “They’re going to blame AD.”

This statement cuts to the core of the Dallas Mavericks’ current predicament and their recent, franchise-altering decisions. The Mavericks famously traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in February 2025 for Anthony Davis in a blockbuster three-team deal.² This move, widely criticized at the time as one of the most lopsided trades in recent NBA history, shifted the Mavericks’ trajectory dramatically. They moved from building around a generational offensive talent in Doncic to a focus on defense and a core built around Davis and Kyrie Irving (who recently tore his ACL, further complicating Dallas’s immediate future). The subsequent acquisition of the No. 1 pick in the 2025 Draft, which became Cooper Flagg, then presented the Mavericks with a new cornerstone for a potential long-term rebuild, even as they tried to contend with Davis and Irving.

Cooper Flagg arrives in Dallas as arguably the most hyped high school prospect since LeBron James. His lone season at Duke only amplified the expectations, where he reportedly won the Naismith National Player of the Year Award as a freshman and led the Blue Devils to an ACC championship and a Final Four berth.³ He’s a versatile forward with an advanced two-way game for his age: elite athleticism, defensive instincts, improving shooting, and high basketball IQ. He’s expected to be an immediate impact player, but like all rookies, he will inevitably face a steep learning curve and make mistakes.

This is where Arenas’s insight becomes particularly relevant. Historically, No. 1 overall picks, especially those joining teams not in immediate contention, are thrust into the spotlight with immense pressure. Every misstep is magnified, every turnover scrutinized, every missed shot lamented. The burden of leading a franchise falls squarely on their young shoulders. However, Flagg’s situation in Dallas is uniquely insulated, as Arenas suggests.

Anthony Davis arrived in Dallas amidst immense scrutiny, largely because of the player he was traded for. Luka Doncic was the beloved franchise player, a transcendent offensive talent who had carried the Mavericks for years.⁴ Trading him, regardless of the return, was a deeply unpopular move among a significant portion of the fanbase and within the broader NBA media. The “defense wins championships” mantra espoused by Mavericks GM Nico Harrison in the wake of the trade has been met with skepticism, especially if immediate success doesn’t follow.

Here’s why Anthony Davis, despite his immense talent, becomes the lightning rod for blame, allowing Flagg to develop under less intense pressure:

1. The Luka Doncic Trade Hangover: No matter how well Davis plays, for many, he will never fully justify the trade of Luka Doncic. If the Mavericks struggle, the immediate reaction will be, “This is what happens when you trade a generational talent.” Davis, as the primary return, will be the face of that perceived downgrade.
2. Existing Scrutiny on Davis: Davis himself has faced criticism throughout his career regarding durability and consistent availability. While undoubtedly an elite defender and strong offensive player when healthy, any injury setbacks or stretches of inconsistent play will be magnified in Dallas, especially given the cost to acquire him.
3. Kyrie Irving’s ACL Injury: Irving’s significant injury (torn ACL in March 2025) further complicates the Mavericks’ immediate contention window. If the team struggles without him for a significant portion of the 2025-26 season, the blame will automatically shift to the team’s inability to win with its existing “star” core (Davis) or the “bad trade” that left them without Doncic and now with an injured Irving.
4. “Defense Over Everything” Philosophy: The Mavericks’ stated rationale for the Doncic-Davis trade was a shift towards a “defense over everything” ideology. If the team’s defense isn’t elite, or if they continue to have offensive struggles, the blame will naturally fall on the execution of that philosophy, with Davis, as the defensive anchor, bearing the brunt of the criticism.
5. Flagg as the “Future”: Flagg is the undisputed No. 1 pick and the symbol of the Mavericks’ long-term future. He represents hope and a clean slate. Fans and media are generally more forgiving of rookies, especially generational talents, wanting to see them succeed. It’s easier to blame the veteran who was acquired in a controversial trade for immediate results than to criticize the young prodigy who is just beginning his journey.

Arenas’s point is astute. For a young player, the ability to learn and grow from mistakes without constant, crushing public condemnation is invaluable. Flagg will:

• Experiment Freely: He can try new moves, take contested shots, or make defensive gambles without fear of being the sole reason for a loss.
• Develop at His Own Pace: The pressure to perform immediately at an All-Star level is lessened. He can focus on refining his skills, understanding the NBA game, and adapting physically without being rushed into a leadership role before he’s ready.
• Benefit from Reduced Media Scrutiny: While he’ll always be a No. 1 pick, the relentless media dissection that often accompanies a franchise cornerstone (like Doncic was) will be partially diverted towards Davis and the larger team construction narrative.
• Learn from Veterans: Playing alongside established veterans like Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving (when healthy) provides invaluable learning experiences. Flagg can observe their habits, learn from their leadership, and understand the demands of the professional game.

Arenas’s comment also highlights a harsh truth about sports culture: the search for a scapegoat. When a team underperforms or makes a controversial move, someone inevitably bears the brunt of fan and media frustration. In Dallas, the narrative has already been set by the Doncic trade. Anthony Davis, despite his Hall of Fame talent, is intrinsically linked to that polarizing decision.

This isn’t to say Davis won’t perform well, or that Flagg won’t face any pressure. Davis is an elite player, and Flagg is a No. 1 pick. But the nature of the pressure on Flagg will be different. He gets the benefit of the doubt, the grace period, because the prevailing storyline, for better or worse, will be centered on the massive trade that preceded his arrival. Any team struggles will easily be attributed to the “Luka-for-AD” swap rather than the raw abilities of the promising rookie.

In essence, Gilbert Arenas is pointing to a unique psychological buffer that Cooper Flagg will enjoy in his crucial rookie season. While other top picks might drown under the weight of expectations, Flagg has an accidental shield in Anthony Davis. For the Dallas Mavericks, this dynamic represents both a strategic gamble and an unexpected silver lining: a chance for their future franchise player to truly develop, make his inevitable rookie mistakes, and learn the ropes of the NBA, all while the spotlight of blame remains firmly fixed on the costly trade that brought him to Dallas in the first place.