Cooper Flagg Is Already Making NBA Executives Regret Their Doubts
Cooper Flagg is just 18 years old, but you wouldn’t know it by watching him play. The Mavericks’ rookie is already looking like one of the most polished, confident young players we’ve seen enter the league in years. And while some around the NBA had their doubts about whether he’d be ready for this stage so soon, Flagg is making it clear: he’s not just ready-he’s thriving.
Let’s rewind for a second. Not long ago, some NBA executives reportedly believed Flagg wouldn’t have cracked the top two picks in the 2026 NBA Draft had he stayed in high school and entered the draft on the traditional timeline.
Some even suggested he might’ve gone fifth or sixth. That’s a bold stance to take on a player who had already dominated at every level he touched-and one who reclassified, joined Duke as a 17-year-old, and instantly became the best player in college basketball.
Now? Those same voices are watching from the sidelines as Flagg turns early-season flashes into full-on star performances.
A Rookie Season That’s Picking Up Steam
Flagg’s NBA career didn’t explode out of the gate-at least not statistically. Through his first 11 games, he averaged 15.0 points per game while shooting 42 percent from the field.
Solid, but not earth-shattering. Still, the signs were there.
The footwork, the instincts, the confidence-it all pointed to something bigger coming. And now, that “something” is here.
Since that early stretch, Flagg has found his rhythm. He’s averaging 21.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and nearly a block per game.
He’s shooting over 50 percent from the floor. He’s finishing at the rim with poise, knocking down mid-range jumpers with confidence, and starting to show signs of becoming a true three-level scorer.
His 42-point night against the Utah Jazz? That wasn’t just a breakout game-it was a statement.
This is a player who’s not only adjusting to the NBA’s pace and physicality-he’s starting to control it.
The Mavericks Are Turning a Corner
Dallas opened the season with a rough 5-15 record, but they’ve gone 6-2 in their last eight games to climb to 11-16. That turnaround has a lot to do with Flagg’s emergence.
He’s not just putting up numbers-he’s impacting winning. The Mavericks are feeding off his energy, his confidence, and his ability to rise in big moments.
This team is starting to find its identity, and Flagg is right at the center of it.
It’s rare to see an 18-year-old rookie lead a team through adversity, but Flagg doesn’t play like most 18-year-olds. He plays like someone who’s been here before. He’s poised, he’s focused, and he’s only getting better.
The Draft Debate That Didn’t Age Well
Looking back, the idea that Flagg wouldn’t have been a top-three pick in the 2026 draft feels more than just off-it feels like a complete misread of what he brings to the table. Sure, the 2026 class has talent.
AJ Dybantsa, Cam Boozer, Darryn Peterson-those are names we’ll be hearing for a long time. But Flagg isn’t just part of that conversation anymore.
He’s setting the pace.
He’s already showing the kind of all-around game that franchises build around. His defense is ahead of schedule.
His offensive game is expanding by the week. And most importantly, he’s proving he can handle the spotlight and pressure that comes with being the face of a franchise.
What Comes Next?
We’re only 27 games into Flagg’s rookie year, but the trajectory is clear. He’s not just a good young player-he’s a rising star. And while it’s still early, the way he’s developing suggests that he could be one of the defining players of this next NBA era.
Sometimes, the league gets it right on draft night. Sometimes, it doesn’t. In Flagg’s case, it’s looking like the Mavericks hit the jackpot, and the rest of the league is starting to take notice.
For those who doubted him? Well, they’re watching now.