Cooper Flag can benefit from losing, says Jason Kidd

DALLAS — Dallas The Mavericks endured a rough start until the 2025-26 NBA season. With that said, Cooper Flagg he plays at a high level. Flagg, however, is losing more than in the past, as his teams often won in both college and high school. Mavs head coach Jason Kidd he believes he is losing it can be “positive” in the long run for Flagg, however.

“He’s brought into this game of basketball, playing against the best in the world, playing on Team USA. So he’s already seen LeBron and Steph, that’s the best he can do. … For him to be in this situation, that’s basketball,” Kidd told reporters ahead of Saturday night’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies. “He is very simple. ‘Coach, you just have to tell me to drive and I will.’ He is 18 years old, he plays the right way. Others want him to shoot more, it’s not in his DNA… There’s stuff in winning… This is the most he’s lost.

“How does he deal with that? Because again, he’s going to be in this league for a long, long time. And I don’t know if he’s going to go undefeated, but just understanding that a loss is something you can turn into a positive… That young man does that every time he takes the floor.”

At 5-12 overall, the Mavericks are in 13th place in the Western Conference standings. The The Mavs hope to turn things aroundbut Kidd clearly believes Flagg will benefit regardless of whether he accomplishes that feat this season. Of course, the long-term goal is to win the championship. Still, some early career adversity could help Flagg along the way.

Win or lose, Flag plays well. Not only is he putting up impressive stats as a rookie, but the 18-year-old often electrifies the fans at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.

“He’s done that before (excited Mavs fans) here in this building, especially going coast-to-coast,” Kidd said. “Being able to get a steal or a 50/50 ball, get behind him, and then when you can finish with a layup or a dunk, I think the crowd always waits for that moment.”

Cooper Flagg is already a fan favorite in Dallas. Now the question is how long will he have to wait to start winning consistently at the NBA level?