Cooper Flagg is already behaving like a star, even though the Dallas Mavericks’ veterans are still treating the 2025 No. 1 pick as a rookie. During the team’s week in Macao, China, for two preseason games against the Houston Rockets, a few veterans kept up the joke that Flagg still wears a “trainee” name tag and must perform menial duties such as carrying bags.
“I can sometimes sneak by without them remembering that they want me to be a rookie still. But yeah, they definitely try,” Flagg said.
The joke sits awkwardly beside the evidence. Flagg played just 45 minutes across the two games and scored 33 points, with 10 rebounds, 10 assists, three steals and two blocks. He looked for his own shot, set up his teammates and played with the assurance of a veteran.
The change shows beyond the box score. Flagg’s voice carries through the arena at The Venetian Macao, and he is vocally involved in the game. He is moving quickly from concentrating on his own game to taking responsibility for 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.”
A rising star in a crowded league
Flagg has been on the basketball world’s radar since he was 16, starred at Duke and then won the NBA’s top rookie honour. His maturing game may be underrated at the moment. The Mavericks, who sit deep in a strong Western Conference, are not drawing much national attention, and that makes it easier for Flagg’s progress to go unnoticed.
The wider league has plenty to discuss. LeBron James is in Philadelphia, Giannis Antetokounmpo is in Miami, and Victor Wembanyama has earned the unofficial title of “future face of the league” while looking for revenge after Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks ended their 52-year title drought. In Macao, however, Flagg was the headline act. His image covered buildings, and he starred at a major shoe event, where he unveiled his personal New Balance logo. It combines his initials with the silhouette of a pine tree, a nod to his home state of Maine.
The trip centred as much on business as basketball. NBA commissioner Adam Silver attended meetings with Chinese partners. Flagg’s owner, Patrick Dumont, hosted the week as chief executive of Las Vegas Sands Corp., which operates five resorts in the area with 10,000 combined hotel rooms, along with the Venetian Arena.
On court, Flagg’s development was clear. He is only 19 and will not turn 20 until 21 December. Yet his more polished jump shot, improved footwork and obvious leadership make his age difficult 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.”
During a 30-second spell on Friday, Flagg showed his range. He used a sideways jump stop to drill a midrange jumper, blocked Amen Thompson’s shot, collected the rebound and led a fast break that ended with a lob dunk. A few possessions later, Thompson went under a screen against him, and Flagg made a 3-pointer from the top of the key with ease.
“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 he did last season
Flagg’s rookie campaign was already remarkable. He became the first rookie since Michael Jordan in 1984-85 to lead his team in total points, rebounds, assists and steals. He also became the fourth rookie since the NBA-ABA merger in 1976-77 to average at least 20 points, six rebounds and four assists, joining Luka Doncic, Larry Bird and Jordan. He became 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.
He ranked sixth in the league on baskets off drives and, according to GeniusIQ tracking, brought the ball up fifth most among all frontcourt players. In effect, he carried the workload of a mid-career All-Star while playing for 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.”
Flagg shot 29.5% from three-point range last season, a weakness he is working to fix. He spent much of the summer training with Irving, who returns after missing 19 months with a torn left ACL. Team-mates praise his 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.”
The road ahead
Much of Flagg’s development will happen under the spotlight. The Mavericks have 21 scheduled national television games this season, though not because they are expected to contend. Irving’s return should help, but the franchise is still recovering from the fallout of the Doncic trade and the failed tenure of Anthony Davis. The club has a new coach and a new front office, led by highly regarded president Masai Ujiri.
Ujiri has made clear that Dallas is committed to keeping Irving alongside Flagg, who is 15 years younger than the veteran point guard. Rival front offices, however, question whether the Mavericks can stick to that plan given their roster gaps elsewhere and the two stars’ different career timelines.
Those questions form the backdrop. Flagg, though, is now centre stage, and he gives every sign of being ready. His team-mates feel it as they watch him work each 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 maximising his potential.”