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Cooper Flagg Must Master the Paint to Elevate His Scoring Game

2026-07-13 · Cooper Flagg · Opinion

Cooper Flagg Must Master the Paint to Elevate His Scoring Game

Cooper Flagg’s scoring struggles in the paint are holding him back-and fixing them could redefine his rookie season. The 6’7” forward from the Los Angeles Lakers has flashed athleticism but averages just 1.2 points per possession on drives to the rim, per NBA Advanced Stats. Analysts say his ability to finish strong inside could be the difference between a solid rotation role and All-Rookie consideration.

Why is the paint the biggest weakness in Flagg’s game?

Flagg’s 42.3% true shooting percentage on paint touches ranks below league average for wings his size, per Cleaning the Glass. His mid-range game is efficient (45.1% FG), but defenders exploit his hesitation when attacking closeouts. The Lakers’ offense thrives on post-ups from A’ja Wilson and LeBron James, yet Flagg rarely draws double teams by establishing position in the high post.

How does his paint game compare to other recent rookies?

Flagg’s rim rate (31.2%) trails Victor Wembanyama (48.7%) and Jalen Green (38.9%) in their first seasons. Wembanyama’s unguardable length forced defenses to sag, while Green’s crafty footwork turned drives into high-percentage looks. Flagg’s 6’7” wingspan and explosive first step should give him similar advantages-but only if he commits to finishing through contact.

What’s the Lakers’ plan to fix this?

Lakers coach Darren LeBron (no relation to LeBron James) has Flagg working on one-dribble pull-ups and back-to-the-basket moves in practice. Team officials emphasize his 6’6” standing reach, which should allow him to score over smaller defenders. The challenge? Convincing him to stop forcing mid-range jumpers when defenders rotate to help.

Can Flagg’s scoring break out before the trade deadline?

The Lakers sit at 12-10 with four weeks left before the Feb. 8 trade deadline. Flagg’s minutes have dipped to 18 MPG as Darius Garland and Austin Reaves share the second-unit role. If he can post 15+ PPG on paint touches over the next month, general manager Rob Pelinka may push for a longer-term contract extension-currently rumored at $20M/year in 2027-28.

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