Cooper Flagg is acting like a franchise cornerstone, not a rookie, and the Dallas Mavericks are starting to treat him that way. Although some veterans still tease the 2025 No. 1 pick with menial duties like carrying bags, Flagg has quickly outgrown the role during the team’s trip to Macao, China, for two preseason games against the Houston Rockets.
“I can sometimes sneak by without them remembering that they want me to be a rookie still. But yeah, they definitely try,” Flagg said.
Flagg played just 45 minutes across those two games and produced 33 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, three steals and two blocks. He looked for his own shot, but he also set up teammates with a confidence that undercuts any notion that he is still a rookie. His voice carries through the arena, and he directs the action, which shows how fast he is moving from focusing on his own game to elevating everyone else’s.
“I’m just finding my voice,” Flagg said. “Being so young and a little bit inexperienced is tough sometimes, but I think up to this point, I’ve earned the respect of my teammates, and I’ve gotten that sense that they really respect me and my opinion.”
Flagg Takes Center Stage
Flagg has been on the basketball world’s radar since he was 16, starred at Duke and then won the NBA’s top rookie honor. His rapid maturity may be underappreciated at the moment, partly because the Mavericks, stuck in a deep Western Conference, are not drawing much attention.
The league has plenty of other storylines. LeBron James is in Philadelphia, Giannis Antetokounmpo is in Miami, and Victor Wembanyama has claimed the unofficial “future face of the league” designation while seeking revenge after Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks ended their 52-year title drought. Still, during the NBA’s China Games, Flagg was the headliner. His image covered buildings in Macao, and he was the focus of a major shoe event. Inside one of the city’s high-end, marble-wrapped malls, he unveiled his personal New Balance logo, which combines his initials with the silhouette of a pine tree, a nod to his home state of Maine.
The trip centered as much on branding and business as on basketball. NBA commissioner Adam Silver attended meetings with Chinese partners. Flagg’s boss, Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont, hosted the week as CEO of Las Vegas Sands Corp., which operates five resorts in the area with 10,000 combined hotel rooms, along with the Venetian Arena, an opulent venue that feels like a five-star resort with two hoops.
Even so, Flagg’s development on the court stood out. He is only 19 and will not turn 20 until Dec. 21. His more polished jumper, improved footwork and clear leadership make his age hard to believe.
“He’s going to lead this franchise into the future. You can definitely bank on that,” teammate Kyrie Irving said. “He deserves a lot of the praise he’s gotten because he’s carried a lot. … He’s wise beyond his years.”
A Highlight Stretch
On Friday, Flagg needed only 30 seconds to show his range. He beat the Rockets defense with a slick sideways jump stop to drill a midrange jumper, blocked a shot from Amen Thompson, grabbed the rebound and led a fast break that ended with a lob dunk. A few possessions later, Thompson went under a screen while defending him, and Flagg answered with a 3-pointer from the top of the key.
“He’s such a versatile player, someone that literally can score three levels,” Mavericks first-year coach Dusty May said. “He can make defensive plays on and off the ball.”
What Flagg Accomplished Last Season
Flagg’s rookie season set a high bar. He became:
- The first rookie to lead his team in total points, rebounds, assists and steals since Michael Jordan in 1984-85.
- The fourth rookie since the NBA-ABA merger in 1976-77 to average at least 20 points, six rebounds and four assists. The others were Luka Doncic, Larry Bird and Jordan.
- The first teenager with four 40-point games, the first teenager with consecutive 40-point games and the first teenager with a 50-point game.
- Sixth in the league on baskets off drives and, per GeniusIQ tracking, fifth most among all frontcourt players in bringing the ball up.
In short, Flagg carried the workload of a mid-career All-Star on a team that won 26 games.
“I felt at points last year I was going in blind a little bit,” Flagg said. “Obviously, I hadn’t been through a lot of those experiences before. So, I think just having that this year is a big help. Just feeling prepared, feeling ready. There’s a lot less to worry about.”
Work Ethic and Growth Areas
Flagg shot 29.5% from 3-point range last season, and he is working to fix that weakness. He spent much of his summer training with Irving, who is returning after missing 19 months with a torn left ACL. Teammates and team officials often praise Flagg’s work ethic and competitive nature.
“Your talent only gets you so far; being remembered for your work ethic and how you treated people and also that championship mindset you came in with every day, that’s what people hold on to,” Irving said.
“For me as a peer, but also as a brother, I look at him as someone that has a world of potential, but also still needs a lot of guidance just like we all do in basketball, a lot of teaching, a lot of knowledge being passed.”
Much of Flagg’s development will unfold in front of big audiences. The Mavericks have 21 scheduled national television games this season, even though they are not expected to contend. Irving’s return should help, but Dallas is still climbing out of the hole created by the Doncic trade and the failed tenure of Anthony Davis. The franchise has a new coach and a new front office, led by highly regarded president Masai Ujiri.
Ujiri has made clear that the Mavericks are committed to keeping Irving alongside Flagg, who is 15 years younger than the veteran point guard. Rival front offices, however, question whether Dallas can stick to that plan with roster holes elsewhere and two stars on different career timelines.
Those questions form the backdrop, but Flagg is now center stage, and he appears ready. His teammates feel it as they watch him every day.
“This is a big responsibility to help him in his evolution to being one of the best,” May said. “A great player’s success is determined by everyone around them. So all of us [being] better teammates, better players, better coaches will contribute to him maximizing his potential.”