Stephen A. Smith Says Mavs Should Pick Cooper Flagg Because He’s White

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has never shied away from controversial takes, and his latest comments about Duke phenom Cooper Flagg are no exception.

Speaking with Complex at the 2025 Disney Upfront following the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery, Smith made the case that the Dallas Mavericks should not trade their No. 1 overall pick — and instead use it to select Flagg, citing both the player’s immense basketball ability and his potential off the court as a white American superstar.

“Cooper Flagg is a tremendous player, and to be honest with you, he’s white,” Smith said. “And to be a superstar, potentially, who happens to be white in the United States of America is a big, big thing.”

Smith elaborated on his perspective by putting himself in the shoes of an NBA owner — someone who must weigh not only a player’s on-court talent, but their long-term value to the franchise’s bottom line.

According to Smith, Flagg could evoke the cultural and marketing magnetism once associated with Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird.

“If I am an owner of a team, in the sport of basketball, and I have an opportunity to have a superstar who’s white, meaning, you think Larry Bird, you understand?” Smith continued. “You don’t turn that down. You hold on to that. That’s what I would do.”

Anticipating backlash, Smith clarified that his stance isn’t solely based on race, but rather a combination of skill and broad market appeal.

“People love to misquote this show. I am in no way saying that you keep the number one overall pick just because Cooper Flagg is white,” he emphasized. “The first order of business is, he can ball. It’s because he can play, but the fact that he’s white, marketable, even his name makes him more marketable! I’m not passing that up at all.”

Flagg, who just completed his freshman season at Duke, is widely regarded as one of the most NBA-ready prospects in years. The 6’9” forward averaged 19.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game while leading Duke to an Elite Eight appearance.

Scouts have praised his two-way versatility, high basketball IQ, and leadership, with many labeling him a potential franchise cornerstone — comparisons to Kevin Garnett and even a young Kawhi Leonard have already surfaced.

With both talent and commercial appeal, Flagg could be a generational pickup — and Smith believes the Mavericks would be making a major mistake by letting that opportunity slip away

Watch Stephen A. Smith discuss Cooper Flagg below.