As the madness of the 2025–26 NBA season begins to heat up, fans are getting their first glimpses of the league’s most promising rookies. From explosive dunks to clutch plays, the new class is already making noise. But one name the basketball world is still eagerly waiting to see in preseason action is Cooper Flagg, who was the No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft.
While others have already showcased their talents in preseason games, Flagg is still waiting for his moment to shine. However, the anticipation is building, and recently the 18-year-old phenom has opened up about his transition to life in Dallas, offering fans a glimpse into his mindset.
Cooper Flagg’s Message Regarding His Time in Dallas
In a recent interview with NBA Insider Marc Stein on “DLLS Sports,” Flagg opened up about how he has settled into Dallas. The top pick didn’t hold back his admiration for his new home, calling the city “beautiful” and expressing gratitude for the warm welcome he’s received from the organization.
“I am pretty comfortable. I have moved into my place and I’m excited just to be there. It’s a beautiful city. I’ve been able to explore it a bit. Find some good food spots; incredible food down there. So you know I’ve been having a good time.
“You know my family’s been down a little bit, so I’m just trying to settle in, and I feel like I’m pretty comfortable,” said Flagg during the interview.
However, the young Mavericks star didn’t stop there.
During the same training camp interview, Flagg spoke about his team-first mindset. He also emphasized the fact that he’s more focused on helping the Mavericks win than chasing individual milestones. Still, he admitted that he hopes to bring the Rookie of the Year award to Dallas.
“Obviously, it’s something that I really want to strive for and look at down the line. For me, that will work itself out as long as, as a team, we do what we’re supposed to do and I’m able to contribute how I know I can contribute,” added Flagg during the interview.
We can say that Flagg enters the league with one of the most polished all-around games of any recent top pick. During his lone season at Duke University, he averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting an efficient 48.1% from the field and 38.5% from three-point range.
Those numbers reflect a rare blend of scoring ability and court vision, which are traits that have the Mavericks organization and its fans buzzing about his potential to be a two-way cornerstone.
That versatility was also on display during his short but impressive NBA Summer League run. Flagg played in just two games before the Mavericks opted to rest him, but his impact was undeniable.
In his debut against the Lakers, he tallied 10 points, six rebounds, and four assists in a narrow 87–85 win, focusing on setting up teammates and locking down defensively. In his next outing versus the Spurs, he showcased his scoring skills with 31 points on 10-of-21 shooting, along with four rebounds and a block, showing he could dominate offensively while still keeping the ball moving.
Head coach Jason Kidd has already made it clear that Flagg won’t be eased in slowly. The rookie is expected to start from Day 1 and will be joining a lineup stacked with veterans such as Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, D’Angelo Russell, and Dereck Lively II.
Now all eyes are set on October 6, when Flagg makes his preseason debut against the Oklahoma City Thunder.