Two weeks into his NBA career, Cooper Flagg’s story is already one of contrast — flashes of brilliance intertwined with the growing pains of an 18-year-old learning a new position on the fly. This has got EssentiallySports closely following his journey and our sources helping with a weekly update on Mavs’ internal chatter.

The Maine-born rookie opened the season with a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double in his debut against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs, earning early praise from Jason Kidd, who said the performance showed “a foundation for greatness.” Dallas struggled offensively that night, but Flagg’s poise stood out as he handled stretches of lead-guard duty and never looked overwhelmed. Defensively, he experienced the speed of the NBA immediately — San Antonio scored 68 points in the paint, exposing Dallas’ early communication gaps.

Three nights later, he produced his first breakout moment — a 22-point, four-rebound, four-assist game in a 139–129 win over the Toronto Raptors, punctuated by a soaring one-handed dunk that ignited American Airlines Center and got him the moniker ‘Flight Flagg’. The performance made him the youngest starter in NBA history to score 20 points with zero turnovers and signaled the confidence that has gradually surfaced in each game since.

Through six games, Flagg is averaging 13.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists while shooting 37.3 percent from the field, 28.6 percent from three, and a perfect 21-for-21 at the free-throw line. He’s recorded multiple double-figure nights and opened his career with three straight games in double digits, joining Dennis Smith Jr. and Sean Rooks in franchise history.

Beyond scoring, Flagg’s rebounding instincts have translated immediately. He ranks among rookie leaders in defensive boards per minute and has shown a natural feel for tracking long misses, though he’s still learning to absorb contact against veteran bigs.

Anthony Davis has been the steady voice beside him, emphasizing patience and preparation.

“He asks a ton of questions,” Davis said. “Not just to me but to all the guys. He listens, he wants to learn, and he’s only going to keep getting better.”

Kidd has repeatedly emphasized patience, framing Flagg’s early workload as both necessity and investment.

“He’s learning through experience,” Kidd said. “These reps are going to pay off when the games matter most.”

The Mavericks rookie is stepping into an unfamiliar role

The Mavericks’ injury situation has forced Flagg into an unnatural role as the team’s primary ball-handler. Kidd’s rotation, featuring double-big lineups and limited guard depth, has left the rookie to organize sets, initiate offense, and handle defensive pressure from veterans far more experienced.

“A big part of it is our health,” Kidd said. “We’ve had a lot of injuries, so it gives Cooper the chance to handle the ball. It’s also about preparing him for when the games really matter — being able to handle pressure in April when we’re playing for something greater. This experience early on will help him long-term and give us another decision-maker once we’re healthy.”

The Mavericks’ offense, currently the lowest-rated in the league, has reflected those challenges. Spacing has been tight, the ball has often stalled, and possessions have lacked movement — issues that weigh heavily on a young player trying to find rhythm.

“He’s a play finisher, not a full-time playmaker,” one NBA scout told EssentiallySports. “They’ve got him trying to create in crowded spacing with two bigs in the paint, which isn’t playing to his strengths. He’s at his best when he’s coming off movement, setting solid screens, slipping into space, and making quick, smart reads. When he’s used that way, his timing and decision-making really stand out. Right now, he’s handling too much in isolation — you’d rather see him in spots where he can read the game instead of forcing it.”

Another scout echoed that sentiment, pointing out how much time Flagg spends uninvolved.

“Too many trips, he’s just standing in the corner watching the ball,” the scout said. “There’s no movement, no screening, no cutting. For a player who thrives off activity, that kills rhythm. He’s at his best when he’s part of the action — setting screens, diving, and making quick reads.”

Bright spots in transition, struggles in structure

For all the growing pains, Flagg has already shown real promise in transition. When he pushes the ball, Dallas looks more dangerous. His pace, awareness, and ability to manipulate defenders early in the shot clock are advanced for his age.

“When Cooper’s pushing the ball in transition, that’s when he looks like himself,” one Western Conference scout said. “He’s reading the floor, getting downhill, and forcing mismatches before the defense can get set. Even if he doesn’t score, he’s creating early offense and putting pressure on the rim. That’s where you see his instincts and poise come alive.”

Still, when the game slows, the offense often stagnates.

“He’s being asked to create from a standstill with limited spacing,” another scout said. “He should be screening more — that’s what he’s used to. Let him set it, dive, and read the floor. He’ll make the right play nine times out of ten.”

Flagg has generated 0.782 points per possession (PPP) overall, ranking 123rd of 133 players with at least 50 possessions. In the half-court, he’s producing 0.524 PPP as a pick-and-roll ball-handler, 0.556 on spot-ups, and 0.727 in isolation. Finishing has also been a challenge — his 0.48 PPP on layups ranks last among 51 players with at least 25 such attempts.

“There’s a balance to strike,” one scout said. “Let him handle it in transition — he’s good there, and it keeps defenses honest. But in the half-court, put him in more structured actions where he can finish plays instead of initiating them. That’s where he can be really efficient. He has to develop a feel running pick-and-roll and making reads in NBA actions.”

Poise, patience, and the bigger picture

While his shooting splits — 37.3 percent from the field and 28.6 percent from deep (after six games) — highlight the inconsistency, Flagg has been flawless from the free-throw line, going 21-for-21, including an 8-for-8 night in Mexico City.

“Cooper’s not the kind of player who gets rattled,” one scout said. “He processes the game like a veteran — when something doesn’t work, he studies it, figures out the adjustment, and applies it the next trip. That’s rare for someone his age. He’ll be fine.”

His poise has impressed veterans, too. Klay Thompson, who’s mentoring him, has emphasized patience through the learning curve, while Shawn Marion, watching from courtside in Mexico City, admired his willingness to take on responsibility.

“He’s trying to pick up everything on the fly,” Marion said. “There’s gonna be growing pains, but you’ve got to fail in order to grow.”

For Jason Kidd, these early trials are an investment for later.

“Kyrie’s going to be a perfect fit with Cooper,” Kidd said. “His ability to dribble, score, and create space will complement Cooper, and vice versa. We can’t wait to get Kyrie back — hopefully in 2025, not 2026 — but when he’s ready, those two will be a great match in the backcourt.”

Mexico City served as both stage and checkpoint — a measure of how far Flagg has come and how far he still has to go.

“It’s been amazing — just seeing the scenery and being somewhere different,” he said. “It’s really cool. I’m just excited and grateful to be here. I hope it’s a great crowd, and I appreciate everyone who shows up and supports us.”

The next phase will come when Kyrie Irving returns, testing how Flagg’s decision-making fits alongside elite spacing and shot creation. For now, the education continues — one possession, one read, one adjustment at a time. He’s still learning where he fits. The flashes are already there. The next step is finding an offense that fits him, too.

“I know what I’m capable of,” Flagg said. “It’s about putting it together. It’s early, but I’ll get there.”