Cooper Flagg isn’t stepping into the NBA with the weight of an entire franchise on his shoulders. Instead, the No. 1 overall pick begins his career surrounded by established stars, giving him a chance to grow into his role without carrying the immediate burden that often comes with his draft status.

The Dallas Mavericks already have Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and Klay Thompson to anchor their veteran core. Flagg, at 18 years old, is focused on complementing them while carving out his own path, emphasizing the versatility that has defined his game.

“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,” Flagg said during his first NBA media day. “Coach 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.”

Cooper Flagg Sets Rookie Goals, Talks Early Lessons

Flagg hasn’t shied away from ambition, pairing his Rookie of the Year pursuit with Dallas’ larger championship aspirations. It’s not an outlandish target given his résumé. At Duke, he averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while leading the Blue Devils to the Final Four and breaking ACC freshman records with a 42-point outburst. In Summer League, he averaged 20.5 points and had a 31-point performance that solidified him as a clear Rookie of the Year favorite.

“I’d like to be Rookie of the Year,” he said. “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.”

Even with high expectations, Flagg described the year ahead as a journey, focusing on learning and competing alongside veterans rather than fast-tracking accolades.

“I’m just looking forward to the journey,” he said. “We’ve got an incredible group of guys. Everybody’s been great so far, and I’m excited to start competing and trying to win.”

His rookie season has already included memorable off-court experiences. After attending Dirk Nowitzki’s annual charity tennis event, Flagg reflected on meeting the Mavericks legend for the first time.

“I thought it was really cool,” he said. “That was my first time meeting Dirk in person and getting to be around him. It was really cool to hang out and see the impact that he still has here in Dallas.”

Another surreal moment came when he crossed paths with Michael Jordan at the Ryder Cup.

“The Ryder Cup was incredible. I’ve never seen a golf environment like that — so competitive, people chanting,” Flagg said. “Meeting Michael Jordan … that’s my GOAT. That’s who I’ve always seen as the GOAT in my household. It was a dream come true. He took the time to meet me, and that was really special.”

Cooper Flagg Faces NBA Adjustment

While his résumé includes record-setting performances at Duke and a 31-point game in Summer League, Flagg said the biggest hurdle has been finding ways to fit into different lineups.

“Just fitting in — different lineups, different guys on the court, finding ways to impact winning no matter how small,” he said.

That adjustment, he believes, will also hinge on leaning into his defensive versatility.

“I just want to impact the game in different ways,” Flagg said. “Some nights it’ll be defense — being versatile, guarding different positions, getting deflections. Other nights it might be something else. I’m just going to help however I can.”

Even as he adapts, Flagg hasn’t lost his sense of humor. The teenager admitted to giving veteran teammates — and even 21-year-old Dereck Lively II — a nickname that pokes fun at their age.

“I just feel young,” he said with a laugh. “I think it’s funny to call the older guys uncle — even D. Lively, and he just turned 21. I’m just trying to make them feel old. PJ said I can’t call him that anymore, though.”

Dallas Mavericks Stars Are Eager to Help

Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving both entered the NBA as No. 1 picks, but in circumstances far different from Flagg’s. Davis was drafted in 2012 by a New Orleans team stripped of talent after trading Chris Paul, carrying the burden of being a franchise cornerstone from day one. Irving faced a similar challenge in 2011, arriving in Cleveland a year after LeBron James left for Miami and immediately being tasked with reviving a depleted roster under intense scrutiny.

Flagg, by contrast, joins a Mavericks team built to contend right now. Rather than being asked to rescue a franchise, he is stepping into a locker room where Davis and Irving — two former top picks who understand the pressures he now faces — are eager to help him adjust.

“He’s in a unique situation,” Davis said. “Usually the top pick goes to a rebuilding team and faces pressure to turn things around. Cooper’s joining a team that already has veteran talent. The pressure isn’t the same. We’ll ask him to be himself, to be Cooper Flagg, and we’ll put the pressure on ourselves — me, Kai — to lead.”

Thompson recalled where he was when Dallas won the lottery and spoke about the excitement across the city.

“I think I was in L.A. — either in the gym or on the beach, I can’t really remember. But I was elated,” Thompson said. “The whole city of Dallas was excited. Now we’ve got a generational talent and three former No. 1 picks on the roster.”

He said Flagg’s willingness to learn stands out most.

“Cooper can be as good as he wants to be,” Thompson said. “He’s got all the tools — height, athleticism — but what I love most is that he’s receptive to information and he wants to work. When you combine that with his athleticism, he can be special.”

Irving framed Flagg’s arrival within the team’s larger pursuit of a championship.

“Sometimes you give up money to have the best team and compete for a title,” Irving said. “That’s better than everything being on my shoulders, or AD’s, or Cooper’s.”

Kidd said the Mavericks are determined to challenge Flagg without overwhelming him.

“We’re not asking him to carry the weight of the Mavericks — we’re asking him to be Cooper Flagg, and that’s special,” Kidd said.

The coach added that playmaking will remain part of Flagg’s development.

“He’s a willing passer with a high IQ,” Kidd said. “The more playmakers we have on the floor, the better the game flows. He can play every position, and it would be unfair not to challenge him.”

Dallas Mavericks Teammates Are Already Impressed

In the months since Flagg arrived, Mavericks players say he has already left an impression. From the moment the franchise won the lottery to the early workouts at the team facility, veterans and young teammates alike have pointed to his work ethic, maturity, and willingness to listen. For a teenager stepping into a contender’s locker room, Flagg has quickly shown he belongs.

“My reaction was like Kai’s — just shock,” Gafford said. “I thought the odds were 0.2%, but it was 1.8%. Still, a miracle. The energy when I found out was great. From what I’ve seen of Cooper at the facility, it’s exciting.”

Lively, one of the young players Flagg has leaned on, said the rookie already shows maturity beyond his age.

“Coop is a worker,” Lively said. “He’s 18, but you’d never know it by the way he carries himself. He listens, he competes, he’s not afraid of the moment. He’s going to be special, and I just try to give him advice whenever I can.”

Washington echoed that sentiment, saying he’s taken on a mentor role.

“For me, it’s about coming out and being myself — being versatile,” Washington said. “I feel like I can play with anybody on the floor. I want to be a mentor to Cooper, help him as much as I can.”

“He’s only 18, so I try to be a bigger brother,” Washington added. “He even called me ‘uncle’ a couple of times, which makes me feel old. But he brings a lot of joy and energy.”

Russell, who shares an alma mater with Flagg at Montverde Academy, said he was cautious about making judgments until he saw the rookie up close.

“He’s good,” Russell said. “I’ve held my thoughts because I wanted to see him myself. We both went to Montverde, so I’ve heard plenty about him.”

From what he’s observed, Russell said Flagg has the traits to succeed right away.

“His motor, his body, his shot-making — he checks all the boxes,” Russell said. “Motor is underrated, and he has it. He’ll translate to the league right away.”

Latest Dallas Mavericks News & NBA Rumors