Dallas Mavericks News

Home

Quizzes

Watch

Newsletter

- Jun 25, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Cooper Flagg arrives before the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Mother of Cooper Flagg Sets a Max Price of How Much he can Spend on a Car after Signing $62.7 Million Contract

Originally posted on Total Apex Sports | By David Desa | Last updated Sep 17, 2025 1:54 PM ET

The NBA has seen its share of phenoms, and Cooper Flagg is the newest addition to that list. Kids who arrive with wallets suddenly bursting at the seams and the world at their fingertips. The stories often write themselves: a meteoric rise followed by a spectacular financial flameout. But with Cooper Flagg, the narrative feels different. There’s a groundedness to him, a sense of perspective that belies his 18 years and the staggering $62.7 million rookie contract he just signed with the Dallas Mavericks. This isn’t just another kid about to get lost in the glitz; this is a young man with a plan, and more importantly, a mom who’s not afraid to keep him in line.

In a recent interview with Chime, the dynamic between Cooper and his mother, Kelly, a former college basketball player herself, was on full display. It was a heartwarming, candid glimpse into the family that shaped the most talked-about prospect in years. When the topic of his newfound wealth came up, Cooper, with a boyish grin, admitted what any teenager would be thinking. “Obviously, I’m excited to get my own vehicle,” he said.

Before the sentence could even hang in the air, Kelly, with the timing of a seasoned point guard, cut in. “Do not buy a Bugatti right away,” she said, a firm but loving warning.

Cooper’s smile widened, but the message was received. This is the foundation that has kept him steady amidst a hurricane of hype. It’s a scene that reveals more about his future success than any box score could. He’s not just a basketball prodigy; he’s a son who listens.

Cooper Flagg’s Sensible Spending Habits

When pressed about a budget for his first car, the mother-son duo were practically in sync. Cooper threw out a number: $200,000. Kelly countered with a slightly more conservative $180,000. For a player about to pocket over $62 million, both figures are refreshingly modest. The ghost of Antoine Walker and the countless other athletes who have lost it all seems far from this family’s reality.

“People might assume that I might buy like a sports car,” Cooper clarified, “but I don’t see myself doing that.”

It’s this kind of level-headed thinking that has NBA veterans and analysts breathing a sigh of relief. The league is littered with cautionary tales, but Cooper Flagg seems destined to write a different chapter. His priorities aren’t wrapped up in flashy status symbols. Instead, his wish list includes a golf simulator for his new home and, at his mother’s suggestion, a hot tub. It’s the stuff of a comfortable life, not an episode of “Cribs.” This is a kid who understands the long game, both on and off the court.

The On-Court Promise of Cooper Flagg

Let’s be clear: the off-court maturity is just a bonus. The real excitement surrounds what Cooper Flagg can do with a basketball in his hands. The hype is not just real; it’s deafening. His brief, two-game stint in the Summer League was a tantalizing preview of what’s to come. He posted an eye-popping average of 20.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game before the Mavericks wisely shut him down to avoid any injury risk.

It was a small sample size, but it was enough. It was enough to see the fluid athleticism, the defensive tenacity, and the offensive polish that make him such a generational talent. Blake Griffin didn’t mince words, calling him “the most complete NBA prospect in years.” When a player of Griffin’s stature says something like that, you listen.

The expectation is that Flagg will not just compete for Rookie of the Year but run away with it. Anything less would be a shock. He brings a versatility and basketball IQ that is rare for any player, let alone a teenager. He is the kind of player you build a franchise around, a cornerstone for the next decade of Mavericks basketball.

The pressure is immense, the spotlight blinding. But with a solid family foundation, a wise mother in his corner, and a head firmly on his shoulders, Cooper Flagg isn’t just prepared to handle the storm. He’s ready to become it. The car can wait. The championship rings can’t.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: