Update suggests Mavs rookie already meeting expectations

Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg. Candice Ward-Imagn Images

Cooper Flagg update suggests Mavericks rookie is already meeting lofty expectations

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jul 13, 2025 3:00 PM ET

The Dallas Mavericks have likely seen what they wanted from rookie forward Cooper Flagg after two Summer League games.

Longtime NBA insider Marc Stein reported the No. 1 pick of the 2025 NBA Draft won't play for the rest of Summer League after Dallas' 76-69 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday. Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News also tweeted Sunday that the 18-year-old won't play in Las Vegas again.

The #Mavs are shutting down Cooper Flagg for the remainder of Summer League, a person’s familiar with the decision confirms.

Flagg averaged 20.5 points, 5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1 block in his two games against the #Lakers and #Spurs.@TheSteinLine was first.
— Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) July 13, 2025

Flagg showed why he's a deserving No. 1 pick after scoring 31 points while shooting 10-of-21 from the field in Saturday's loss to the Spurs.

"Oh, he's gonna fit right in," Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said of Flagg Saturday, via The Athletic's Kelly Iko and Jared Weiss. "He's gonna be fine. He'll be perfect."

The Mavericks don't want to tax the former Duke Blue Devils star before the start of training camp in October, especially with him still learning how to play point forward.

"I think I've been solid. I'm exhausted," Flagg told Iko and Weiss after Saturday's game. "I'm not used to bringing up the ball like that. Had somebody on my hip every time I brought the ball up court 94 feet. I think I did a solid job of bringing it up against pressure and setting up different actions."

The Mavericks have star shooting guard Klay Thompson and power forward Anthony Davis, but Flagg may have to be the team's offensive engine this upcoming season. Dallas point guard Kyrie Irving isn't expected to return until January 2026 after tearing the ACL in his left knee in March.

Keeping Flagg fresh before the start of the regular season on Oct. 21 is smart. The Mavericks probably don't need more Summer League games to see whether the 2024-25 Associated Press Men's College Basketball Player of the Year has star potential.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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