Cooper Flagg was selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday at the Barclays Center.
Flagg was considered the top prospect in the 2025 NBA draft, whom Dallas selected first despite having odds of 1.8% in the draft lottery.
It’s a generational talent, a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
GM NIco Harrison said.
Cooper Flagg’s NBA Rookie Contract
Cooper Flagg is expected to sign a four-year contract with the Dallas Mavericks worth $62.7 million, according to Spotrac. Flagg’s salary for the 2025-26 season will be about $13.8 million, boosted by a 10% jump in the NBA salary cap. While rookie first-round contracts follow the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, only the first two years of Flagg’s four-year deal are guaranteed. Dallas holds team options for years three and four.
Projected contract breakdown, per Spotrac:
| Season | Salary | Contract Type |
| 2025–26 (Year 1) | $13,825,920 | Guaranteed |
| 2026–27 (Year 2) | $14,517,480 | Guaranteed |
| 2027–28 (Year 3) | $15,208,680 | Team Option |
| 2028–29 (Year 4) | $19,178,146 | Team Option |
| Total | $62,730,226 | (only if he signs for 120% of the rookie scale) |
Cooper Flagg’s Contract Beyond the Court
Flagg has locked in $28 million through Name, Image and Likeness deals, doubling his projected rookie NBA salary. He signed $13 million and $15 million contracts with New Balance and Fanatics, added a $4.8 million On3 deal, and secured endorsements with Gatorade, Cort Furniture and AT&T.
Can Flagg Be a Billionaire by His 30s?
If Cooper Flagg lives like a generational NBA talent, he could be a billionaire according to Spotrac. However, he will have to qualify for a 30% supermax and earn All-NBA honors, MVP, or Defensive Player of the Year. If he continues with such achievements, he could be eligible for a 35% supermax, and his earnings would be around $500 million by 2034-2038.
Reportedly, Lebron James is the highest-paid player in the league with earnings over $500 million from NBA contracts. Flagg’s predicted earnings could exceed that, considering the NBA’s rising salary cap and $76 billion media rights.
Cooper Flagg will make his debut for the Dallas Mavericks against the Los Angeles Lakers in the Las Vegas Summer League on July 10.
