Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg is widely considered one of the most talented young players heading into the 2025-26 season. While the young forward is yet to prove himself on the big stage, he believes that he could be an effective contributor for the team.
While speaking with DallasHoopsJournal.com’s Grant Afseth, Flagg mentioned how his versatility could be an asset in helping him establish himself as a contributor in the rotation. He said:
“For myself, it’s just about being me. Going through it, not changing for anybody, impacting the game in a lot of ways, and doing whatever I can to impact winning. Coach [Jason] Kidd and I have talked about being versatile. We’ve got a bunch of guys who can do a lot of different things, so we want to use that to our advantage.”
Flagg’s understanding of his abilities and versatility is quite impressive for a rookie. At 6’9″, the 18-year-old is an impressive specimen. While possessing incredible athleticism and agility at this size, Cooper Flagg complements his natural talent with a multifaceted skill set, positioning him as an all-around player.
Many have noted Cooper Flagg’s talent and development potential. Given his standout performances at Duke, both as a reliable scorer and a dependable playmaker, the 18-year-old has been viewed as the Mavericks’ future superstar. While this could be some ways down the road, the rookie currently sets his sights on the immediate future.
“I’d like to be Rookie of the Year,” Flagg said, while outlining his expectations for his rookie season. “As a team, the goal is obviously to win a championship. But like I said earlier, if I stay true to myself and what got me here, the personal goals will work themselves out.”
In many ways, the forward is already positioned to be the frontrunner to win the Rookie of the Year award. Aside from being the No. 1 overall pick in a relatively stacked draft class, Flagg established himself as a player to keep an eye on during the Summer League.
Although Dallas rested him after only two games at the tournament, he displayed flashes of brilliance. Cooper Flagg averaged 20.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. These aren’t far off from his college stats of 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game.
Flagg’s perimeter shooting has been viewed as his biggest shortcoming thus far. However, there is enough evidence to suggest that he could develop a reliable stroke from the three-point line, while also honing his skills in the midrange.
Regardless, the 18-year-old’s development will certainly be a promising storyline for the Mavericks this season. As constructed, Dallas is poised to mount a title charge in the upcoming season. But with key rotation players such as Kyrie Irving and Daniel Gafford sidelined with injury, the Mavs will look to the duo of Cooper Flagg and Anthony Davis to keep them competitive.
