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LAS VEGAS— In his NBA 2K26 Summer League debut, he struggled significantly, hitting only 5 of his 21 shots and missing all five from beyond the arc, even airballing both his opening and closing attempts. However, despite his shooting woes, those who witnessed his performance left with a unified impression: Cooper Flagg is on track to become a significant force in the league.
But what exactly contributed to that sentiment?
“He didn’t overexert himself or act like the No. 1 pick trying to prove a point,” remarked Mark Cuban, the former majority owner of the Mavericks and an unabashed fan of the franchise. “He played the game the right way.”
And there’s this notable point:
“He’s … only … 18,” Cuban emphasized, taking a moment between each word. “My daughter just graduated high school last month, and he’s younger than her.”
Such was the atmosphere on Thursday at Thomas & Mack Arena, where the only concern was his shooting performance — a detail that may not mean much after just one game which resembled more of a casual pickup match. Beyond those misses, Flagg exhibited enough glimpses of his overall abilities to justify his top draft position during Dallas’ 87-85 victory over the Lakers.
His rebounding, court awareness, fluidity, leadership, and defensive skills stood out. These qualities reflect the advanced basketball IQ and maturity that he possesses, despite his youth. In the closing moments of Thursday’s game, he recorded a block and assisted on the pivotal basket in transition.
Moreover — it’s worth stressing — many rookies have had much-hyped Summer League debuts without impressive shooting results. Just two years ago, Victor Wembanyama posted a disappointing 2-for-13 performance, which included a blocked shot. And how has he fared since?
This highlights the enigma and the misconceptions surrounding these early summer games, which can mislead viewers in either direction. It’s prudent to evaluate them on a game-by-game and situation-by-situation basis, then promptly move on.
COOPER FLAGG’S FIRST BUCKET AS A MAV INCLUDES A MONSTER SLAM ‼️#NBA2KSummerLeague on ESPNpic.twitter.com/h7Ta564bS8
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Mavericks’ coach Jason Kidd is considering utilizing Flagg at the point guard position in the upcoming season, a potentially challenging role until Kyrie Irving completes his rehabilitation from Achilles surgery. Standing at 6-foot-9, Flagg brings certain advantages along with his reliable ball handling, although there was one moment during the matchup with the Lakers that stirred the crowd.
Flagg posted up against the only player with a more substantial presence — 6-foot-2 Bronny James, who returned to Summer League action. The son of LeBron managed to dislodge the ball before gaining possession.
However, a whistle was blown, drawing a bewildered reaction from Bronny, accompanied by some booing from the audience. Foul?
James came into this Summer League eager to showcase his defensive capabilities, potentially leading to increased minutes next season. Yet, he still has areas to improve, having missed six of his eight shots, including a decisive step-back 3-pointer.
But, this is the Summer League.
As for Flagg, the top overall pick stated: “I aimed to be aggressive. It might have been one of the worst performances of my life… but I’ll be fine. Just glad we came away with the win. That’s what really matters.”
He’s faced very few games like this throughout his career — not at Duke, not in high school, and not even during last summer’s Team USA training camp.
Josh Broghamer, who is coaching the Mavericks this summer, added: “They were trapping him, even full court. He consistently made the right plays. Right now, we’re all focused on taking it day by day.”
Indeed, adopting a day-by-day approach is wise for both a rookie and a team keenly looking ahead to the upcoming season.
Cooper Flagg, selected as the No. 1 overall pick, led the Mavericks to an 87-85 victory over the Lakers on the opening day of the NBA 2K26 Summer League.
When the Mavericks defied the odds to secure the top pick, it was a significant turning point for the franchise, one that was reeling from a public relations crisis after trading Luka Dončić, witnessing Anthony Davis sustain a groin injury in his inaugural game with the team, having Kyrie suffer an Achilles tear, and ultimately missing the playoffs. This turmoil came just a year after Dončić led Dallas to the 2024 NBA Finals.
Upon obtaining the No. 1 pick, Cuban remarked, “Despite our challenges, we now have hope. That alters everything. We just need to hold on until Kyrie returns.”
This means Flagg must step up as a player who is expected to be a generational talent, yet there’s an interesting twist: He’s a rare No. 1 pick not joining a rebuilding team. This situation resembles Tim Duncan joining the Spurs alongside former MVP David Robinson in 1997 rather than Wembanyama entering a rebuilding phase with the Spurs in 2023.
On next season’s Mavericks roster, Cuban stated, “There are multiple Hall of Famers. You have Klay (Thompson), Kyrie, and AD. This alleviates a lot of pressure.
“When Wemby debuted, all the attention was on him. The Spurs’ fortunes were tied directly to him. (Flagg) doesn’t have that burden of being the primary player on the team, which is significant for him. He can take his time to refine the aspects of his game that need improvement. And he’s only 18.”
He has ample opportunity to move past that 5-for-21 shooting night, a performance that likely won’t define his Summer League experience, let alone his rookie campaign.
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Shaun Powell has an extensive history covering the NBA, spanning over 25 years. You can email him here, find his archives here, and follow him on Twitter.
The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of the NBA, its teams, or Warner Bros. Discovery Sports.
