Cooper Flag made his highly anticipated Dallas Mavericks preseason debut.
The Dallas Mavericks selected Cooper Flag on the first pick of the 2025 NBA Draft.
Mavericks added generational talent to the already loaded roster as Flag is committed to becoming a future NBA star.
Flag wasted no time making his mark as he showed off his impressive skill set during the Mavericks 106-99 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Flag posted 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 10 points (all in the second quarter) in 14 minutes of action.
He shot 2-for-6 from the field. This is perfect from deep, 3-3 and 2-2 from the free throw line.
Flag introduced him to his high basketball IQ as it appears he played correctly every time. He was used to the ball in his hand and gave the correct reading.
There was one sequence in which Cason Wallace pushed a full court against him, but Flagg remained calm and moved the ball to the floor with ease before finding Dwight Powell in the bucket.
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd spoke about what he saw from the flag and said his playmaking will be a huge boost for the Mavericks this season.
“It becomes one of our strengths and allows him to handle the ball, read, pick and roll.
“I thought he did an amazing job of finding a guy… For the 18-year-old, seeing his ability to handle the ball in such a situation is special and fun, and he’s only getting better.”
Flagg continues to start with center Dereck Lively II, a small forward next to Anthony Davis in the power forward position.
Flag is supposed to see extended play time from the gate, and it is expected that he will often be holding the ball in his hand until Kyrie Irving returns from an ACL injury.
Flag’s ability to play and start off with an offense will be fully exhibited from the beginning of the season.
He has a real chance to become a key two-way player in the Mavericks’ starting lineup and be someone who can create overall statistics, as he showed in his first preseason performance.