Dallas Mavericks Exercise Cooper Flagg’s Third-Year Rookie Scale Option For 2027-28
DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks announced Saturday that they have exercised the third-year rookie scale option on Cooper Flagg, two weeks ahead of the Oct. 31 deadline. The option covers the 2027-28 season and pays Flagg $15,208,680.
Flagg was named the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year in April after starting all 70 of his appearances. He averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.9 blocks in 33.5 minutes per game.
Cooper Flagg’s Rookie Of The Year Season
At 19 years, 112 days, Flagg became the second-youngest player in NBA history to win Rookie of the Year. LeBron James won the award at 19 years, 106 days.
By the end of the season, Flagg led Dallas in total points (1,473), rebounds (466), assists (316), and steals (84). He was the only player in the NBA to lead his team in all four categories. Michael Jordan is the only other rookie in league history to do it.
After the All-Star break, Flagg averaged 22.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.2 blocks. No other player in the league averaged at least 20.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks over that stretch.
Flagg scored 51 points against the Orlando Magic on April 3 at American Airlines Center. At 19 years, 103 days, he became the youngest player in NBA history to score 50 or more in a game. He shot 19-of-30 from the field, 6-of-9 from 3-point range, and 7-of-7 at the free-throw line. He scored 24 of those points in the fourth quarter, and Orlando won 138-127 to hand Dallas its 14th straight home loss.
The 51 points broke Flagg’s own record for the most by a teenager in NBA history, which he set with 49 against the Charlotte Hornets on Jan. 29.
Two nights later, Flagg had 45 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists in a 134-128 win over the Los Angeles Lakers that ended the home losing streak. His 96 points across the two games made Flagg and Wilt Chamberlain the only rookies in NBA history to total at least 96 points over a two-game span. He also became the first rookie with consecutive 40-point games since Allen Iverson in 1996-97.
Flagg’s Rookie Contract And The Dallas Mavericks’ Season Opener
Dallas signed Flagg to his four-year rookie scale contract on July 2, 2025, a week after selecting him first overall out of Duke in the 2025 NBA Draft. The Mavericks had won the lottery with a 1.8% chance at the top pick. The deal has a total value of $62,730,226, with $28,343,400 guaranteed at signing. Flagg made $13,825,920 as a rookie and is set to make $14,517,480 this season.
The fourth-year option on the contract is worth $19,178,146 for the 2028-29 season. Dallas has until Oct. 31, 2027, to exercise it. Flagg is scheduled to reach restricted free agency in 2029.
The Mavericks finished 26-56 last season. Flagg begins his second season under first-year Mavericks coach Dusty May, and Dallas opens the 2026-27 schedule Oct. 21 against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center, with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m. CT. The home opener against the San Antonio Spurs is Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. CT.
