Mavericks Debut No. 1 Pick Cooper Flagg

The Dallas Mavericks open the 2025–26 season Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs, marking the NBA debut of No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg. Flagg, who played one season at Duke, has been experimented with at point guard in preseason and Coach Jason Kidd says the staff is comfortable with him running the team though Kidd has not officially named him the starter. Flagg averaged roughly 11–13 points, about 4.5 rebounds and 2–2.8 assists in the preseason and capped it with a win over the Lakers. At 18 years, 10 months old he is the league’s youngest player and the second-youngest No. 1 pick ever, and teammates including Dereck Lively II praise his poise and locker-room fit. With Kyrie Irving sidelined and backcourt roles unsettled, Dallas plans to lean on Flagg’s versatility alongside veteran leaders including Klay Thompson and Anthony Davis.