Klay Thompson Announces Cooper Flagg Plan Before NBA Season

Thompson, who won four NBA titles alongside Steph Curry with the Golden State Warriors, has already identified Flagg as a player who has the potential to be one of the all-time greats. He announced his intentions to help Flagg get there in a video captured during the Mavericks' preseason camp.

"I want a ring, bro," Thompson said to rookies Flagg and Moussa Cisse. "I'm trying to get Coop on that list with Magic [Johnson] and Bill Russell. It's a crazy list."

The list Thompson was referencing was Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famers to win the NBA Finals as a rookie. Russell and Johnson aren't the only Hall of Famers to pull off the feat, but they are the most famous.

Russell earned the first of his 11 championships with the Boston Celtics at the end of the 1956-1957 season, his first year as a professional.

Johnson's rookie year with the Lakers was arguably the most legendary of his five championships. In 1980, the point guard became the only rookie to win Finals MVP after starting at center in a decisive Game 6 and dropping 42 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists.

Flagg may have a chance to pull off a similar out-of-position performance on opening night. Kidd experimented with the 6-foot-9 forward at point guard in preseason while Irving recovers from an ACL injury, stating they are "comfortable" if Flagg starts there against the Spurs.

Flagg, still just 18 years old, relished the confidence and knowledge that Thompson has brought him ahead of his first NBA season.

"Klay, treating me well," Flagg said. "He’s a great vet. Been giving us books, knowledge, wisdom. Great vet, man.”

The Mavericks game against 2023 No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs tips off at 9:30 p.m. ET Wednesday from American Airlines Center in Dallas. It is the second game of an opening week doubleheader that night on ESPN, following an Eastern Conference matchup between the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers.