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To barely anyone’s surprise, Dallas Maverick’s Cooper Flagg chose with the top election of the 2025 NBA draft.
Flagg, 18, was one of the youngest basketball stars taken at No. 1. LeBron James preserves the distinction of being the youngest player in the corpse story to be made with the top overall choice. Flagg described the moment he heard his name called by the NBA Commissioner as “a dream.”
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Cooper Flagg talks with the media during the 2025 NBA Draft – Round One on June 25, 2025 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. (Mike Lawrence/NBAE via Getty Images)
While flagging primarily spent time on the traditional forward position in his lonely season on Duke, the team’s list also noted him as a guard. Former Mavericks player and current coach Jason Kidd admitted that he is taking a more nuanced approach to the players’ positions.
“I don’t look at the position,” Kidd said during a press conference.
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Flagg is expected to debut in the NBA Summer League on July 10 against Los Angeles Lakers. Kidd revealed that he will see flag in action in the Point Guard position.
“I want to put him on the Point Guard. I want to make him uncomfortable and see how he reacts. Could be able to run the show. Could be able to play (shooting guard). Play (little forward). He’s comfortable with playing it. We’ll push. I think he’ll answer in a positive way.”
Dallas Mavericks first collected Pick Cooper Flagg speaks to the media during a press conference at Dallas Maverick’s Practice Facility on June 27, 2025. (Jerome Miron-Preferred Pictures)
Maverick’s part owner Mark Cuban supported the idea of testing flagg at the point guard site. Kidd said he received a text from the billionaire who read, “Point Guard, Point Guard, Point Guard, let him bring the ball up.”
The 6-foot-9 basketball fenom was accused of bringing the ball up the field and getting the offense that is sometimes created at Duke. In the end, he led the blue devils in assists.
June 27, 2025; Dallas, TX, USA; (From left) Dallas Maverick’s General Manager Nico Harrison and Mavericks first collected Pick Cooper Flagg and head coach Jason Kidd is for a photo at Dallas Maverick’s practice facility. (Jerome Miron-Preferred Pictures)
Kidd brushed concerns about flagging potentially making mistakes while handling the ball as he played the guard position.
“It’s okay to fail, it’s okay to turn the ball around. We’ve talked about it. Just understanding the guys I’ve been around who have been young from Giannis (Antetokounmpo), giving him the ball and he failed, but he would come back and have the ball.”
Kidd expressed excitement over the flag, which had the ball in the Summer League in Las Vegas. “I’m excited to give him the ball against Lakers and see what happens. Let’s get started right from bats,” said Mav’s head coach.
