Coming out of the cool climate of Newport, Maine, can anyone stand up to the heat of Dallas, Texas? That question and the NBA spotlight are currently focused on the first overall pick in the 2025 draft, Cooper Flagg. At just 18 years old, he is predicted to be the fifth ever No. 1 pick to make the playoffs as a rookie.
While Flagg missed time during his first, and only, season at Duke due to injury, he still dominated on the court when he was active, scoring on average 19.2 points per game, and showcasing his incredible two-way ability.
He’s also stellar on defense having posted a Defensive Rating of 87.9 in his freshman season at Duke. He also has big moments on both ends at such a young age — he was able to hit a shot over Anthony Davis during a Team USA Exhibition game. His size and athleticism at the young age of 18 allows him to dominate the court on both ends of the floor.
So what can we expect from Flagg when he steps foot on the court as the No. 1 pick for the Dallas Mavericks?
There’s no doubt he is going to be an immediate impact player for the Mavs. His versatility combined with his size, athleticism and potential is going to make him an immediate star in the NBA. Flagg’s two-way forward skill set could lead the Mavs on a deep playoff run.
Flagg is the right fit the the Mavs
Flagg is not only joining a strong team that just recently made a finals run, but he is also joining one of the best Duke alumni of the past 15 years and a former No. 1 pick himself, Kyrie Irving. Irving averaged 24.7 points per game this past season, but suffered a knee injury that will keep him out until at least the start of 2026. This means Flagg will have extra opportunities to show off his talents while one of his best teammates is out long term.
Flagg will also join Davis, who is another extremely valuable two-way player like Flagg. Davis will help steer Flagg in the right direction as Davis himself is a former No. 1 pick. Although only an inch taller than Flagg, Davis’ experience will make him a key factor in the Mavs' chance to make it to the playoffs this upcoming season.
Since Davis and Irving were also one and done college stars, showing Flagg the ropes in the NBA will be natural for them. Although Flagg had less than a full season of college experience, having Irving and Davis to help Flagg on his journey as a rookie will certainly elevate his play.
The Mavs will also receive contributions from Daniel Gafford. His abilities as a rim protector, and his efficient shot-making around the rim will surely help the Mavs playoff hopes. He nearly broke Wilt Chamberlain’s consecutive field goals made record which shows how effective he can be as a spark plug. He was only two away from the record during a five-game span in 2024, which puts him in elite all time company and second all time in the record books.
Flagg’s 3P% isn’t too far off from Klay Thompson’s, who despite his age still has an incredible shooting ability can’t be understated. There's no question that his veteran leadership and immense playoff experience will help the Mavs bid to return to the finals for the rest of the decade.
And lastly, the Mavs also feature Dereck Lively II, a young and extremely effective defender who excels in a pick-and-roll offense. Lively and Flagg will certainly make a great young big man duo in the future.
Will he win the ROY?
Being the No. 1 pick leads to many questions whether or not Flagg will go on to win any awards during his upcoming season with the Mavs. Does he have the chance to win Rookie of the Year? With his talent and drive to win, the ROY doesn’t seem too out of reach for him.
The odds favor Flagg, as shown in Newsweek’s article on the 2026 Rookie of the Year, he has odds of -200 to win Rookie of the Year — meaning if he can stay healthy, he’ll more than likely walk away with the award. Nothing is guaranteed in the NBA but with Flagg’s talent, supporting cast, and the other rookies this year, it seems likely Flagg will win the title.
Looking ahead
Overall, the Mavs lucked out big time taking Flagg with the No. 1 pick. His versatility and constant drive for the win will make him an extremely impactful player right away. There’s no question that his immense talent will make him a key factor for the Mavs to make it back into the playoffs this upcoming season, the only question left is how far can he and the Mavs go.
