The Dallas Mavericks used the No. 1 pick in Wednesday night’s NBA Draft to — unsurprisingly — select transcendent talent Cooper Flagg from Duke University, who is considered one of the best consensus No. 1 draft prospects in years.
Head coach and Hall of Famer Jason Kidd sat down with Jared Greenberg of NBA TV to discuss the expectations attached to the No. 1 overall selection, especially considering they have three future Hall of Famers already on their roster: Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson and Anthony Davis.
This could be considered an ideal scenario for Flagg to develop within, and Kidd agrees.
Mavericks HC Jason Kidd Discusses Cooper Flagg’s Expectations and Learning From HOFers
Greenberg asked Kidd, considering the future Hall of Famers on the roster, how much they expect Flagg to have an immediate impact in his rookie year amid their championship aspirations.
“I believe he’s gonna have a big impact… When you talk aboud AD, Kai & Klay, you have great mentors.” 🗣️
Mavs HC Jason Kidd talks to @JaredSGreenberg about Dallas’ monumental first pick in this #NBADraft 👀 pic.twitter.com/72j3mJFdhV
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 25, 2025
Kidd spoke about the benefits of learning from that caliber of talent already on the Mavericks roster: “I truly believe he’s gonna have a big impact. When you talk about a young player coming into our league, you couldn’t ask for a better situation. How to be a pro, get a routine, how to be prepared for practice, and how to be prepared for big games. When you talk about AD, Kai and Klay, you have great mentors who have been in this situation.”
Flagg will also benefit from learning from Kidd, an accomplished coach and Hall of Fame player.
Kidd also shared his expectations for Flagg: “Our pick, his job is to learn the system, have fun, and be the player and person he is. That’s what we expect from our No. 1 pick.”
Kendrick Perkins has already set high expectations for Cooper Flagg, comparing him to a blend of LeBron James and Kevin Garnett to underscore his unique skill set and two-way potential.
Flagg finished his season with Duke averaging 19.2 points, 4.2 assists and 7.5 rebounds, along with 1.4 blocks, and 1.4 steals.
Flagg will also benefit from playing alongside star point guard Irving, who has reportedly agreed to a three-year extension worth $119 million after declining his option, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. Reportedly, his deal is based on his wish to build a legacy in Dallas and his belief that the team will build a championship roster upon his return from his torn ACL.
Exciting times lie ahead for the Mavericks.
