Cooper Flagg Ready to Lead Mavericks After Doncic Trade

Dallas, TX – Cooper Flagg, the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, is poised to make his debut for the Dallas Mavericks this season. This marks a significant transition for the team, which will start the season without star player Luka Doncic, who was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this year.

The Mavericks received a stroke of luck in the draft lottery, where Flagg became their selection despite the team having only a 1.8 percent chance of landing the top pick. Fans are optimistic about Flagg’s potential, viewing him as a transformative talent and the team’s potential future superstar.

“No, not really [I don’t feel like a savior],” Flagg said regarding the pressure of taking over the team’s hopes. “To me, I feel like the opportunity that I was given took a lot of that pressure off of me.” His confidence comes from a strong supporting cast, which includes established players like Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving.

Flagg expressed that the team’s depth lessens the burden on him. “We’re a really deep team, I think that takes a lot of that pressure off of me… To just be myself and not worry about expectations to be like anybody else,” he noted.

Head coach Jason Kidd has hinted at a possible adjustment, with D'Angelo Russell potentially coming off the bench, allowing Flagg to take on more responsibilities in navigating defenses and creating opportunities for his teammates.

The Mavericks’ season opener against the San Antonio Spurs is scheduled for 9:30 PM ET, where Flagg aims to showcase his skills and contribute to the rewriting of the Mavericks’ narrative without Doncic.