Oct 18, 2026 12:37 AM
Updated Oct 18, 2026 1:17 PM
Dallas solidifies its future by securing the reigning Rookie of the Year through 2028, while trimming the roster ahead of a high-stakes season opener against rival Houston.
In a move that amounts to a no-brainer technicality, the Dallas Mavs on Saturday announced that they are exercising the third-year rookie scale option on budding star Cooper Flagg.
The decision, which comes two weeks ahead of the Oct. 31 deadline, is an option that covers the 2027-28 season and pays Flagg $15,208,680.
Dallas also made two other decisions on Saturday as they waived waived guards John Poulakidas and Seth Lundy.
Poulakidas had been on a two-way contract with Dallas since February, and Lundy signed a training camp deal with the team Sept. 26.
There is some thought that both guys could still be a part of some roster juggling. NBA teams have until Monday to set their regular-season rosters, with room for 15 players on standard contracts and three on two-way deals.
What we know for certain is how the franchise is now building aroung Flagg, 19, who was named the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year in April after starting all 70 of his appearances. The No. 1 overall pick in last year's NBA Draft, the Duke product averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.9 blocks in 33.5 minutes per game.
Among his many accomplishments? He was the only player in the NBA to lead his team in all four categories mentioned above. Michael Jordan is the only other rookie in league history to do it.
Dallas signed the precocious Flagg to his four-year rookie scale contract on July 2, 2025. 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 NBA restricted free agency in 2029. ... a place that obviously the Mavs have no intention of ever allowing him to arrive at.
For now, rebuilding Dallas is trying to recover from a poor 26-win season as Flagg begins his second year here, now under the supervision of first-year Mavericks coach Dusty May.
Dallas opens the 2026-27 schedule on Wednesday, Oct. 21 against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center, with that tip-off set for 7:30 p.m. CT.
The home opener against Victor Wembanyama and the defending Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs is slated for Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. CT.
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