With the NBA Draft just about a month away, Dallas Mavericks fans are eagerly awaiting to see who will be Cooper Flagg's new young running mate. It won't take them long to find one, considering this is a deep freshman class, but they need to look no further than someone like Houston point guard Kingston Flemings.
Flemings, at 6-foot-4, has a high motor and excellent playmaking abilities, and loves shooting from the midrange. His ball-handling, along with his athleticism, makes it clear that he's NBA-ready. That's what Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report says. Thankfully, this loaded freshman class keeps Flemings on the board, and Dallas would have every reason to take him at No. 9.
"Kingston Flemings' measurements were disappointing, as he came in just a half-inch taller than Darius Acuff (who'd been considered undersized) with four fewer inches of length. But he surprised by leading the NBA Combine in the three-point star drill (overtaking Alex Karaban), making 19-of-25 shots. He also hit 15-of-25 spot-up threes, encouraging signs for a guard whose bread and butter in college was separating into mid-range jumpers."
New mock draft has Mavericks taking Kingston Flemings at No. 9 in the NBA Draft
Flemings came into the NBA Combine ready to shoot. If he shot better than UConn's Alex Karaban in the three-point star drill, it's reassuring to NBA general managers. Considering he often flirted with a midrange shot at Houston, this is a win for the Mavs if they end up drafting Flemings. A dream pick that feels mutual at this point is Illinois guard Keaton Wagler, but the chances of that are looking slim with Dallas falling to No. 9.
Wasserman added that Flemings showcased his athleticism at the NBA Combine, placing in the top five in the max vertical (40.5"), pro lane agility test, shuttle run and sprint time.
Outside of his raw athleticism, he can play as a ball handler or off the ball and make his move. If Cooper Flagg is running point guard while Flemings is playing off the ball, Flemings can get tons of looks from outside. When Flemings has the ball in his hands, he's very much in control, and Wasserman compared his quickness to San Antonio Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox.
His deep-range shot may be the biggest concern, but he knows how to get to his midrange shot. If he can stay consistent from deep like he was at the Combine, it may be a sign he's improved his confidence shooting from deep.
The Mavs are doing the best they can to make up for trading away Luka Doncic, because, yes, the Doncic trade always deserves a shoutout. But if Flagg and Flemings can form a guard-forward combo with their elite offensive abilities, it could be a cheat code for the rest of the league.
If we're looking at the eye test, Flemings passes with flying colors. His length may be the only thing in question for his defensive stature, but Flemings may be a top-five talent flying under the radar. If the Mavs can jump on him, there's plenty of justification for a parade in Dallas.
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