Cooper Flagg to Play PG in Mavs NBA Summer League Debut vs. Bronny James, Lakers
Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, is expected to immediately suit up for the Dallas Mavericks once the Las Vegas Summer League kicks off.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the "expectation" is that Flagg will play on July 10 as the Mavericks face off against Bronny James and the Los Angeles Lakers. He's also set to participate in Dallas' second matchup against No. 2 pick Dylan Harper and the San Antonio Spurs.
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd was excited to see Flagg utilized in a variety of roles.
“I want to put him at point guard. … I’m excited to give him the ball against the Lakers and see what happens," Kidd said Friday, per Stein.
Expectations are high for Flagg following a stellar freshman season at Duke, but he explained that he's not too worried about them.
"I'm coming in just trying to learn and trying to get better every single day," Flagg told reporters Friday. "I think if I can do that to the best of my ability, I think expectations and pressures that other people will put on me and our team, that will kind of work itself out. I'm just trying to come in and be the best that I can be, and just win at the highest level."
Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison was also excited about Flagg potentially making a large impact during the 2025-26 season while also keeping the team's long-term future bright.
"We’re in win now mode and he adds to that, but he’s also the future of the franchise," Harrison said. "We get two-in-one, it’s a perfect storm for us.”
In his lone season with the Blue Devils, Flagg showcased his all-around game. He averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks on a nightly basis while shooting 48.1 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from three-point territory.
Still, Flagg will be joining a Mavericks squad that has several experienced veterans and doesn't need him to be the team's leading scorer right away. He'll have the opportunity to learn from Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson.
Davis, Irving and Thompson have six combined championships as well as 314 total games of playoff experience under their belts.
Flagg should be able to show off his volume scoring prowess once the summer league commences, though.
