'We Are Playing for a Championship': Jason Kidd Discusses Cooper Flagg and Dallas Mavericks’ Draft Plans

The Dallas Mavericks are positioned to select Duke forward Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft following their unexpected lottery win, and head coach Jason Kidd gave the clearest indication yet that the team intends to keep the pick and add the 18-year-old phenom to a veteran roster.

Speaking on The Dan Patrick Show, Kidd said he didn’t expect to move up in the lottery and wasn’t watching when Dallas jumped from the 11th-best odds to first overall.

“I just felt, you know, we were going to stay around 11, if not go backwards, just the way the things were going for us this year,” Kidd said. “But incredible to get number one.”

Jason Kidd Says Veteran Presence Will Benefit Cooper Flagg

Flagg, who turns 19 in December, is widely considered the top prospect in the class and a potential franchise cornerstone. Kidd noted that Flagg’s development will be supported by several experienced players on the roster, including Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis—both former No. 1 overall picks—and potentially Klay Thompson, a free agent who has been linked to Dallas.

“He doesn’t turn 19 until December, and so just understanding he’s young, but he’s very talented, can play both ends,” Kidd said. “Being able to have older players—and when I say that, out of respect, they’re not dinosaurs—but when you look at the age of 30, Ky, AD, guys that are here, Klay could definitely help him with the process of going through a rookie season.”

Kidd believes the pressure Flagg will face as a top pick in Dallas will be less intense than it would be in a rebuilding situation.

“I think this is a great situation for him,” Kidd said. “When you talk about the other clubs, he would have to produce right away at a high, high level. Here, the pressure of living up to number one will be a lot easier with the talent around him.”

Dallas Mavericks Plan to Compete Immediately

The Mavericks aim to compete for a title next season, even while integrating a teenager into the rotation. Kidd emphasized that the environment in Dallas will be demanding but supportive.

“We are playing for a championship,” Kidd said. “This isn’t about just rebuilding. He’s going to have help.”

Flagg averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.4 steals during his freshman season at Duke, drawing comparisons to Kevin Durant and Scottie Pippen for his versatility and two-way skill set. He is considered a high-IQ, high-motor player with elite defensive instincts and the ability to impact the game across multiple positions.

While Flagg will need to improve his physical strength and adjust to the grind of the NBA season, Dallas believes its infrastructure and veteran leadership will allow him to grow without the burden of carrying the franchise from day one.

The Mavericks underwent a dramatic transformation earlier this year with the trade of Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. Kidd, who said he learned of the deal an hour before it happened, now sees the draft as a turning point in the franchise’s direction.

Cooper Flagg Embraces Journey, Excited By Dallas Mavericks Fit

At the combine, Flagg discussed his rapid rise, preparation for the NBA, and the experience gained with USA Basketball’s Select Team last summer. He trained with and competed against multiple NBA players in that setting, including Jalen Suggs, Payton Pritchard, and Brandin Podziemski.

“Yeah, that whole experience was a big learning moment for me,” Flagg said. “The biggest thing I took from it was the preparation—mental and physical. Just learning how much you have to take care of your body. I picked some of those guys’ brains… I just learned how important recovery is and how much attention you have to pay to it.”

When asked about the possibility of landing in Dallas, Flagg expressed excitement about the team and its foundation.

“I’m grateful to get this opportunity, or any opportunity to hear my name called on draft night,” Flagg said. “I’m just really excited for this whole experience. Not everybody gets to go through this, so I just feel really blessed. As far as Dallas goes, they’ve got a lot of really good pieces.”

He also shared enthusiasm about potentially teaming up with Mavericks center Dereck Lively II, another former Duke product.

“To be able to learn from D-Live—that’s pretty cool,” Flagg said. “So I think it would be a really cool opportunity.”

With expectations high, Flagg emphasized the importance of staying present during the process.

“I think just trying to be present, trying to take it all in,” he said. “You only get to do it one time. I’m trying to enjoy every second.”

He added: “Wherever it is, I’m just gonna try and be me to the best of my ability. Try to do whatever the team needs—play both sides of the ball and just play really hard in every single possession.”