Even before he was taken with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks , fans knew that Cooper Flagg was the next big thing to watch out for. The 6'9" do-it-all teenager who can defend at a high level and continuously expand his offensive repertoire is exactly the type of player every team dreams of landing. But Flagg is locked in Dallas, and early signs suggest he's embracing a new role that could make him even more impossible to defend.
"Yeah, I think it relieves a lot of pressure off of our guards. It has been something that we have been talking about in practice and D'Lo trusts me that I've got to know every position, every play, and whatever actions we are running just to make it easier on each other. If he's getting picked up 94-feet every play it's not smart, it's not practical for him to try to release that pressure every time if I can just make it easier… then that's what we should do," the Mavs youngster said after the preseason game.
As the regular season tip-off approaches, teams are getting their reps in during these preseason contests, and in the latest one against the Oklahoma City Thunder , Flagg made his presence felt in just 14 minutes. He stuffed the stat sheet with six steals and three assists, but more importantly, he was seen pushing the ball up the floor with confidence — adding yet another layer to what already feels like an unlimited ceiling.
Since the Mavericks will be without their star point guard, Kyrie Irving , who is out with an ACL injury, for the majority of the season, they'll need all hands on deck when it comes to playmaking. And even though they bolstered the backcourt by adding veteran D'Angelo Russell, seeing Flagg evolve as a table-setter is a very welcoming sign for all Dallas fans. His willingness to handle the ball, initiate sets, and alleviate pressure speaks volumes about his maturity and understanding of the game at such a young age.
After what was probably the most tumultuous season in Mavericks history, the waters for Jason Kidd's team seem to be calming down. With a healthy (for now) Anthony Davis as their main hub, alongside Flagg, Russell, Klay Thompson and a bunch of reliable guys ready to play their roles to perfection, the Mavericks look set to compete in a tightly contested Western Conference.
And what better way to make some noise than with a unicorn talent evolving in real time? Flagg's blend of length, defensive instincts, and now emerging playmaking gives Dallas a unique weapon that fits seamlessly into multiple offensive looks.
It seems like, after the Luka Doncic trade that left everyone in a state of shock, a new franchise darling is ready to emerge in Dallas. Flagg has the poise, skill set and the right mentality to lead this new era of Mavericks basketball. The expectations are already sky-high — and so far, he's giving everyone plenty of reasons to believe the hype and jump on the wagon.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Oct 7, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
