NBA Notes: Mavericks, Cooper Flagg, Kings, Russell Westbrook, Sixers

Mavericks

Cooper Flagg hasn’t wasted time proving why Dallas made him the No. 1 overall pick. Head coach Jason Kidd said that what separates Flagg isn’t just skill — it’s toughness.

“His willingness to compete at a high level and his willingness to be uncomfortable,” Kidd said, via Eddie Sefko of NBA.com. “He absorbs that. Those are his superpowers. His winning DNA, he stood in line a little longer to get that at a high level. He’s all about winning.”

Kidd sees a foundation forming between Flagg and second-year center Dereck Lively II. Both, he said, have the makeup to impact winning immediately.

“It’s not about how many shots or minutes he gets,” Kidd added. “He’s about the team. He competes to win.”

Flagg said he’s still learning how to play alongside fellow frontcourt star Anthony Davis.

“I gotta find ways to help AD more,” he said, via The Dallas Morning News’ Mike Curtis. “That’s what the preseason is for — just to come out, get real game minutes, and gel.”

Dallas isn’t worried about the rookie’s five turnovers in Saturday’s loss to Charlotte, but Kidd did emphasize one concern: rebounding.

The Hornets grabbed 54 boards to the Mavericks’ 37, a stat that’s hard to ignore for a team built around size. Kidd called it “a point of emphasis” for the rest of preseason.

Kings

As we’ve already relayed, Russell Westbrook’s name just won’t go away in Sacramento. ESPN’s Shams Charania said on NBA Today that there remains “strong mutual interest” between Westbrook and the Kings, who ranked 29th in both bench points and assists last season.

Westbrook already has ties in the organization, including former teammates Domantas Sabonis and Dennis Schröder, plus new assistant GM B.J. Armstrong, who knows him from their shared agency days.

Sactown Sports’ Carmichael Dave pegged the chances of a Westbrook-Kings deal at “about 70 percent,” noting that financials are the only real hurdle.

Westbrook, 36, reportedly also has a lucrative offer to play in China, though that’s not expected to be a consideration until after the All-Star break.

He averaged 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.9 rebounds in 75 games with Denver last season, then added 11.7 points in the playoffs.

Sacramento currently has 13 guaranteed contracts, so roster space wouldn’t be an issue if both sides decide to move forward.

Sixers

Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that free agent wing MarJon Beauchamp has agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal with Philadelphia.

The move isn’t finalized, but Pompey says Portland — where Beauchamp briefly signed before being waived — is “still involved.”

The 25-year-old was a 2022 first-round pick by Milwaukee and has since played for the Bucks, Clippers, and Knicks. He averaged 4.1 points in 135 career games and shot 35 percent from deep last season.

If the Sixers finalize and then waive Beauchamp before opening night, he’d be eligible for an $85,300 bonus if he spends 60 days with the Delaware Blue Coats. Philadelphia’s roster currently sits at the 21-player offseason limit, meaning another move will need to happen to make it official.