The Dallas Mavericks have officially signed Cooper Flagg, the anticipated top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, to a four-year rookie contract. While specific terms were kept confidential by the team, sources indicate that based on the NBA`s rookie salary scale for the 2025-26 season, Flagg`s deal is valued at $62.7 million over its duration.
According to Spotrac, Flagg`s earnings in his initial season will be approximately $13.8 million, with $28.3 million guaranteed throughout the agreement. Looking ahead to 2029, Flagg could potentially be eligible for a supermax contract worth up to $359 million, representing 30 percent of the Mavericks` salary cap. Achieving this would require meeting specific performance criteria, but given the high expectations surrounding him, the Mavericks are optimistic that Flagg will develop into the cornerstone of their franchise.
Projections suggest Flagg could fit into the Mavericks` starting frontcourt as the small forward next season, potentially alongside Anthony Davis at power forward and Dereck Lively at center. This setup could offer valuable positional flexibility, allowing Flagg to be a scoring threat. The text also mentions him playing alongside guard Klay Thompson, who is expected to provide offensive support while Kyrie Irving recovers from an early injury.
During his introductory press conference, Flagg indicated his desire to handle the ball. While playing in the ACC for the Blue Devils, he frequently operated as a point-forward, initiating the offense.
At 6-foot-8, Flagg is comfortable creating off the dribble. Last season with the Blue Devils, many effective plays originated from pick-and-roll actions, a dynamic that could complement the Mavericks, especially given Anthony Davis`s established threat in such scenarios.
“I don`t think (Cooper) could have asked for anything better as the number one pick,” Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green recently commented on `The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis.` “You don`t have to go average 25 points on a bad team or 20 points on a bad team.”
Flagg is scheduled to participate in summer league games later this month. Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd intends to immediately challenge him by utilizing him, in part, as a primary ballhandler.
Following the draft, Coach Kidd explained his approach: “I want to make him uncomfortable and see how he reacts. Being able to run the show, being able to play the two, play the three. He`s comfortable playing [the three], but we want to push, and I think he`s going to respond in a positive way. It`s all right to fail. It`s all right to turn the ball over. We`ve talked about that.”
Kidd drew a parallel to his time coaching in Milwaukee, where he utilized Giannis Antetokounmpo in a point-forward role, a strategy that highlighted the multi-time MVP`s diverse abilities.
Kidd elaborated on his philosophy: “Just understanding the guys that I`ve been around that have been young, from Giannis, giving him the ball, and he failed. But he wanted to come back and have the ball, so I`m excited about giving (Flagg) the ball against the Lakers (in summer league) and see what happens. Let`s get it started right off the bat.”
The Mavericks will open their summer league schedule against Los Angeles on July 10th at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
Jasper Hawthorne