Cooper Flagg’s rookie season has changed from internal development to league-wide evaluation. The NBA released its second All-Star fan voting update, and the Dallas Mavericks forward emerged as the only rookie listed among the top 40 vote-getters. That detail alone changed how Flagg’s season was being discussed, both inside and outside Dallas.
Dallas remains below .500, and Flagg is navigating the physical and mental grind of his first NBA season. Still, public support from his head coach has pulled the All-Star conversation into sharper focus. What once felt like distant praise now carries expectation, scrutiny, and pressure.
Jason Kidd’s Stance Put Cooper Flagg Into the Limelight
Recently, Jason Kidd joined reporters in Sacramento. There, he talked about Flagg’s chances of making the All-Star team. When questioned if Flagg deserved consideration, Kidd gave a clear-cut answer. Currently, he views the young player as fitting into that category based on their performance.
“He’s going to be there no matter what. If he participates in the Big Game, that’s because of the work he’s put in. We hope that he does make the Big Game and gets voted in.”
Asked Jason Kidd if he had a case for Cooper Flagg as an All-Star:
"He's going to be there no matter what. If he participates in the Big Game, that's because of the work he's put in. We hope that he does make the Big Game & he gets voted in. He's playing at a high level for a…
— Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) January 7, 2026
Those stances came hours after fan voting results showed Flagg ranked 16th among Western Conference frontcourt players with 236,182 votes, according to NBA.com’s January 6 release. No other rookie from either conference appeared on the list, highlighting how rare his inclusion is at this stage of his career.
Kidd pointed to Flagg’s responsibilities rather than his age. The Mavericks used the champ for the rival’s top perimeter threat. Through January 6, Flagg is averaging 18.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists while shooting 47.6 percent from the field.
That context is important because the conversation is not taking place during a peak period. Over his three games entering January 7, Flagg shot 29.8 percent from the floor, a dip Kidd openly addressed after Dallas’ January 4 win over Houston, as reported by Athlon Sports on January 7, 2026.
“He’s got to embrace it. For the great ones, they don’t run from it. They find a way through it.”
The Mavericks have built guardrails around Flagg’s season. He is already locked into the Rising Stars game after becoming the Western Conference Player of the Month last year. The All-Star discussion still brings a different level of comparison. Veteran forwards with winning records, including teammate Anthony Davis, sit higher in fan voting.
Kidd’s comments did not guarantee Flagg a spot. They publicly reframed expectations. Flagg is no longer being evaluated as a promising rookie. Still getting used to the grind of eighty-two games, he’s now sized up beside seasoned All-Stars.
