Cooper Flagg's mother sparks buzz about future Mavericks dream duo
After showing clear signs of rookie growing pains, Cooper Flagg has been on fire in the past four games, averaging 19.8 points per game while shooting 54.2 percent from the field. It seems like he's finally transitioning from the sensational Duke kid to the star everyone was hoping for. Flagg only had one season with his star teammate, Kon Knueppel, who's having the time of his life with the Charlotte Hornets, but Cooper Flagg's mom, Kelly, seems to be on board with the two reuniting again.
After a post on 'X' in regards to the NBA Rookie of the Year race, the odds have Knueppel surging in the race, passing Philadelphia 76ers rookie V.J. Edgecombe. Flagg's mom responded by making light of the situation to tie it back to her son in hopes that the two former Blue Devils will reunite one day.
"He is an amazing young man and player," Kelly said. "Would love him in Dallas!"
Cooper Flagg's mother pushes for Knueppel in Dallas for a Duke reunion
Of course, both respective rookies will be experimenting in the NBA with the teams that drafted them, and if the Hornets know what they're doing, they will keep Knueppel happy. If the Hornets are unable to build with their young pieces in a few years, we can see the Mavs push for Knueppel to come to Dallas.
It seems we could see a reunion with the Blue Devils one day, as Flagg and Knueppel were roommates, and that bond will never go away. This obviously won't be anything this year or even next year, but Knueppel and Flagg might have some unfinished business together. They lost a heartbreaker against Houston in the 2025 Final Four, after what looked to be a lock for Duke to appear in the championship game.
Knueppel, at 6-foot-6, plays taller than he looks. He's averaging nearly 17.6 points a game and grabbing six rebounds a game. Flagg and Knueppel on the court together looked like the best duo in college basketball last year, but they only had one year together to take home the ultimate prize.
Flagg and Knueppel were also some of the best shooters in college basketball last year, with both guys shooting around 48 percent from the field. Knueppel shot 41 percent from deep in his only year with Duke.
Flagg's mother has already been active this season by causing a media frenzy during the dismissal of Nico Harrison. Kelly's words about the "Fire Nico" chants were taken out of context, and she only wanted to limit distractions for the Mavericks. Let's hope that happens, and let's hope Flagg is treated with more respect than Luka Doncic was.
It shouldn't be in the cards for Flagg to be traded, and if so, then something is seriously wrong with the Mavs organization. The Mavs are holding most of the cards for the future, and the Hornets are trying to escape rebuilding. We may just see Knueppel's time in Charlotte end when his rookie contract expires.
It's unfortunate that we only got to see one year of Flagg and Knueppel together, but crazier things have happened in the NBA before. It's more likely to see Knueppel join the Mavericks than Flagg join the Hornets, but we'll have to wait some time to see if that happens.
Patriots Seeking More From $45 Million Captain
To start the year, it looked like the Patriots had themselves a major score with the addition of former Titans pass-rusher Harold Landry, who was signed to a three-year, $45 million contract. He had been drafted by coach Mike Vrabel when Vrabel was in Tennessee, so the notion that he would thrive when put into a new situation with New England seemed to add up.
And the numbers showed he did. Landry had 3.5 sacks in his first two games in New England. He had 16 tackles in his first three games. He had five pressures and three quarterback hurries in the Week 6 win in New Orleans alone.
But since that Saints game, Landry has seemed to run out of gas. He has not gotten to the quarterback at nearly the same rate, and has just four pressure in his last five games. Landry has just one hurry in that same span, and has not had a sack for the past four weeks.
Patriots Had Hot Start With Harold Landry
That was one reason many felt that the Patriots would make a move at the trade deadline to add a pass-rusher. Both Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson got off to impressive starts, but have petered out. But without the option to trade, the Patriots will need some improvement from within.
It’s a topic addressed by Patriots beat writer Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald, who did note that Landry had a knee injury in Week 6 in New Orleans and was on the injury report with an ankle injury in Week 7 but has not missed a game because of either issue. He could be playing hurt, though.
Kyed said that if Landry is simply gassed at this point in the season, then perhaps the mini-bye this week after the Thursday night game will re-energize him.
Harold Landry, Edge Rushers to Get Internal Reinforcements
Kyed writes in his Patriots mailbag that the team will be looking at two young options down the stretch of the season to bolster the pass rush, Elijah Ponder and practice-squad call-up Bradyn Swinson:
“Landry has still been a solid defender, despite the low sack numbers in recent weeks. I wouldn’t mind seeing Elijah Ponder and potentially Bradyn Swinson mixed in more over the final third of the season.
“Ponder, an undrafted rookie, now has sacks in consecutive weeks. Swinson was signed off of the practice squad this week. There’s no guarantee that he’ll be active on Sundays, but he was a very disruptive pass-rusher during his senior season at LSU, registering 60 total pressures.”
Patriots’ Mike Vrabel on Bradyn Swinson Addition
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel addressed the expectations for Swinson this week.
“He’s worked hard. He’s improved,” the coach said.
“I think he’s worked hard in the weight room, changing his body, getting stronger, learning special teams and doing a good job there. Give us a great look, and those coaches have done a great job of improving a lot of those guys and hopefully getting them ready here for when they have to play.”
