Nico Harrison, the general manager of the Dallas Mavericks, was all smiles when asked about the highly anticipated debut of Cooper Flagg in the NBA Summer League. “He didn’t disappoint,” Harrison said bluntly, without even needing to elaborate. That short sentence, packed with meaning, encapsulated everything Flagg’s performance brought to the hardwood in Las Vegas. The expectations were massive, the crowd was hyped, and Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, showed the world that the buzz surrounding him wasn’t misplaced.
From the opening tip, there was a sense of electricity in the air. It’s not every day a rookie captures the imagination of both die-hard NBA fans and casual viewers before even logging a minute of professional basketball. But Flagg isn’t your everyday rookie. Standing at 6-foot-9 with a wiry frame, freakish athleticism, and a basketball IQ that belies his age, he came into the Summer League with comparisons to stars like Larry Bird, Kevin Durant, and even LeBron James. Unrealistic? Perhaps. But when he took the court and delivered an opening stat line of 22 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 blocks, and 2 steals in just 27 minutes, those comparisons didn’t seem so far-fetched.
For Nico Harrison, this wasn’t just another draft pick. This was a cornerstone. A franchise player the Mavericks believed in so strongly that they maneuvered strategically through the trade market and draft lottery to secure him. And in his first few games, Flagg validated every ounce of that belief.
What impressed Harrison the most wasn’t just the numbers, though they were impressive. It was the poise. The decision-making. The maturity. Flagg didn’t force shots. He didn’t look overwhelmed by the speed of the game. He played with a pace that seemed slow in the best possible way—deliberate, composed, and always in control. For a 19-year-old, that kind of presence is rare.
His defensive instincts were elite. He rotated seamlessly, closed out shooters with intensity, and communicated constantly with teammates. One moment in the second quarter stood out: Flagg hedged on a pick-and-roll, recovered to block a mid-range jumper, and then sprinted down the floor to finish a lob in transition. That sequence alone was enough to get NBA Twitter buzzing and had Harrison nodding on the sidelines.
Offensively, Flagg’s versatility was on full display. He ran pick-and-rolls as the ball-handler, posted up smaller defenders, and knocked down catch-and-shoot threes with confidence. His playmaking, however, may have been the biggest revelation. On several occasions, he drew defenders on drives and dished perfectly-timed passes to open teammates in the corners. He made the game easier for others—a hallmark of great players.
There was also a quiet competitiveness about him. Flagg didn’t talk much on the court, but his body language spoke volumes. Every possession mattered. He chased loose balls, sprinted back on defense after a turnover, and clapped his hands after defensive stops. It was the kind of intensity that rubs off on teammates, and it clearly did. The Mavericks’ Summer League squad played with an energy and cohesion that isn’t typical for a team thrown together just weeks before. That, too, impressed Harrison.
Cooper Flagg’s performance wasn’t perfect—he committed a few turnovers, missed a couple of defensive assignments—but even his mistakes showed potential. They were mistakes of aggression, not confusion. He was trying to make the right plays, and he learned from them in real time. That’s a trait coaches dream of.
The buzz around Flagg extended beyond the Mavericks’ organization. Scouts from other teams were openly in awe. One Eastern Conference executive was overheard saying, “This kid could be an All-Star in year two.” Another longtime NBA scout simply said, “He’s special.” ESPN, Bleacher Report, and every major sports outlet flooded social media with clips and praise. Fans swarmed him after the game, and the highlight reels from his debut went viral within hours.
For Harrison, the praise was nice, but he’s a long-term thinker. He knows one Summer League game—or even one Summer League season—doesn’t make a career. But it does offer a glimpse into a player’s mindset, preparation, and baseline talent. And from what he saw, Flagg checks every box.
The GM was quick to credit the Mavericks’ developmental staff as well. Since the day Flagg was drafted, they’ve worked tirelessly to help him adjust to NBA schemes, build strength, and sharpen his shot mechanics. “He’s put in the work,” Harrison said. “And he listens. That’s big. He wants to be great, and he doesn’t think he knows it all. That humility, combined with his skill, is what makes him different.”
Flagg’s humility was also evident in his postgame interviews. When asked about his debut, he deflected praise to his teammates and coaches. “I was just trying to do my job,” he said. “Play hard, make the right reads, and help us win. It’s not about me—it’s about us.” Those words resonated deeply with Harrison and the rest of the front office. For a player with so much hype, Flagg’s grounded demeanor is refreshing.
In the following games, Flagg continued to impress. His second outing featured a 25-point, 8-rebound, 6-assist performance, where he also nailed 4 three-pointers. In his third game, he struggled shooting but recorded 4 blocks and 3 steals, showing that he can impact the game in myriad ways even when the shot isn’t falling. That’s the mark of a future star: versatility, resilience, and the ability to dominate on both ends.
Harrison also emphasized that Flagg is only scratching the surface. “What you’re seeing now is just the beginning,” he said. “He’s going to keep growing, getting stronger, learning how to read defenses better, and finding ways to lead. This is the foundation. But it’s a strong one.”
One intriguing element of Flagg’s development is his relationship with Luka Dončić. The Mavericks’ franchise superstar has already reached out to the young rookie, offering mentorship and encouragement. According to team insiders, Dončić has been enthusiastic about Flagg’s arrival, viewing him not as a threat, but as a partner in the quest for a championship. That kind of dynamic—an established MVP candidate mentoring the No. 1 pick—is rare and could be transformative for the team’s culture.
Nico Harrison understands that balancing the long-term development of Flagg with the short-term goal of contending with Luka will require careful planning. But so far, he sees no conflict. Flagg’s ability to contribute immediately while still having room to grow makes him the ideal player for this moment in Dallas basketball history.
Harrison also spoke about the significance of drafting someone like Flagg beyond the court. “He’s a culture-changer,” he said. “He raises the standard. He brings accountability. And fans feel that. The city feels that. We wanted someone who could represent this franchise with integrity and passion, and we got that in Cooper.”
Indeed, the city of Dallas has embraced Flagg with open arms. Jersey sales spiked the moment his name was announced at the draft, and during Summer League games, Mavericks fans showed up in droves wearing “FLAGG” shirts and holding up signs. His impact, even in these early days, is palpable.
