Cooper Flagg Shines in Preseason Debut, Projected Future Cornerstone for Mavericks

Cooper Flagg, an 18-year-old incoming rookie for the Dallas Mavericks, is already projected as the second-best fantasy basketball player by 2030, despite not yet playing an official NBA game. He made a notable preseason debut on October 7, 2025, contributing 10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block in just 14 minutes. Flagg, who won't turn 19 until just before Christmas, is considered to possess all the skills a franchise could want in a cornerstone, a void the Mavericks are looking to fill after trading Luka Dončić. He is expected to be a high-impact player for years to come.