Cooper Flagg Set to Make His Mavericks Debut — as the Starting Point Guard Dallas turns the keys over to its No. 1 pick against Utah in the preseason opener

Cooper Flagg Set to Make His Mavericks Debut — as the Starting Point Guard
Dallas turns the keys over to its No. 1 pick against Utah in the preseason opener

There’s a new era beginning in Dallas, and it starts with a bold statement. The Mavericks have officially announced that No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg is expected to start at point guard in their preseason matchup against the Utah Jazz  a move that has sent waves through the basketball world and sparked a fresh jolt of excitement across the NBA.

For months, fans have imagined what it would look like when the 19-year-old prodigy finally put on a Mavericks jersey. But few expected it would happen like this  with Flagg running the floor, orchestrating the offense, and serving as the engine of a retooled Dallas lineup.

A Bold Move for a New Chapter

When Dallas traded franchise icon Luka Dončić this summer, the move marked the end of one era and the beginning of another. The franchise made it clear that Cooper Flagg wasn’t just the future  he was the plan. Now, the plan is in motion.

At 6-foot-9, Flagg has been described as a positionless phenom  a player with the vision of a guard, the instincts of a wing, and the defensive grit of a big man. Yet starting him at point guard in his very first NBA preseason game? That’s a statement of pure confidence from the Mavericks coaching staff.

“Cooper’s been handling the ball since day one of camp,” head coach Jason Kidd said during shootaround. “He sees the game in slow motion. We want him making plays, making mistakes, and learning how to lead this team.”

The Spotlight Awaits

The preseason opener against Utah might not count in the standings, but make no mistake  this game will feel monumental. Every pass, every crossover, every jump shot from Flagg will be dissected and celebrated by fans who’ve been waiting for a new hero to take over in Dallas.

Social media has already lit up with anticipation. Clips from practice show Flagg drilling deep threes, pushing the pace in transition, and locking down defenders at the perimeter. His poise, maturity, and swagger have drawn early comparisons to a young LeBron James  not just because of his talent, but because of his confidence under pressure.

Flagg himself, as usual, has kept things calm and humble. “It’s just basketball,” he told reporters earlier this week. “I’ve been playing point all my life in some form now I get to do it on the biggest stage. I’m ready.”

Time for Coop to Put on a Show 🍿

Dallas fans have already adopted the mantra: “Time for Coop.” The energy around this debut feels electric  the kind of night where the future of a franchise starts to take shape before everyone’s eyes.

Expect the Mavericks to play fast and fluid, leaning into Flagg’s ability to push tempo and find open shooters. With veterans like Derrick White and Maxi Kleber alongside him, the floor will be spaced, and the spotlight will burn bright.

Whether it’s a flashy assist, a chasedown block, or one of those signature pull-up threes, every moment will matter. Because this isn’t just a preseason debut  it’s the unveiling of a new Dallas identity, one led by a fearless, generational rookie with the poise of a veteran and the fire of a star.

When the lights come on and the ball tips in Utah, it won’t just be another preseason game. It’ll be the first chapter of something Dallas fans have waited years to see  the Cooper Flagg era, officially underway.