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Jason Kidd makes it clear the Dallas Mavericks won’t make the same mistake with Cooper Flagg

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Luca Rosano | Last updated Dec 19, 2025 6:47 PM ET

The Dallas Mavericks pulled off a huge upset win over the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference Detroit Pistons.

The Dallas Mavericks recovered to beat the Detroit Pistons 116-114 in overtime Thursday night after blowing an 18-point third-quarter lead.

Cooper Flagg had 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Anthony Davis added 15 points along with 14 rebounds.

Flagg in his last 8 games is averaging 25.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.3 steals + blocks on 52.4 percent shooting from the field as the Mavericks have gone 6-2 over that span.

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Jason Kidd vows the Dallas Mavericks won’t ever trade Cooper Flagg

Flagg has lived up to the hype in the early part of his NBA career.

Flagg has been solid on both ends for the Mavericks and his impact has now resulted in the team winning games.

The future once looked very bleak for the Mavericks because of the Luka Doncic trade, but now it looks extremely bright with Flagg.

Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said after the game that the Mavericks will keep Flagg until he retires.

“I think it’s great.

“He’ll be 19 here in a couple days, and we’re very fortunate to have him and we’ll treasure him at 18 and 19 all the way until he’s 55, cause that’s when he’ll probably retire at the age of 55.”

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Naji Marshall praises Cooper Flagg

Flagg has been on an insane run as of late and his teammates are starting to take notice.

Naji Marshall dropped a cold line about Flagg after he led the Mavericks to another win, as Dallas is quietly creeping back up in the play-in picture.

“He’s a dog, on both ends of the floor and every game somebody guards him with their best defender and he just goes out and proves that he’s a No. 1 pick.

“Pledge allegiance to the Flagg, man.”

Flagg has scored 20 or more points in 6 of his last 8 games, including a career-high 42-point outburst against the Utah Jazz.

The Mavericks have found their new star after losing Doncic and it seems like this time, they have learned from their previous mistake.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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