Cooper Flagg’s early NBA moments have already revealed a diverse toolkit, but his defining trait might be the one that doesn’t show up in the box score.

At just 18, the Dallas Mavericks’ No. 1 overall pick has been praised for his maturity, instincts, and polish. Yet to coach Jason Kidd, it’s Flagg’s competitive edge — not his scoring, not his athleticism — that separates him from most young players.

“He’s willing to compete at a high level and his willingness to be uncomfortable,” Kidd said. “He absorbs that. I think those are his superpowers. His winning DNA – he stood in line a little bit longer to get that at a very high level. He’s all about winning.”

Flagg showcased those traits again Saturday night in a preseason matchup against the Charlotte Hornets at American Airlines Center, delivering a string of eye-catching plays on both ends. His command and poise continue to validate the NBA general managers’ preseason survey, which projected him as both the favorite for Rookie of the Year and the player most likely to be the best from his class in five years.

Kidd, though, prefers to stay grounded in the moment.

“I guess they know best,” he said of the poll. “Everybody has their opinion. We don’t put a lot of weight on that. We’ll see at the end of the season how his peers judge him. But we believe he has the skill set to be very special in this league for a long time.”

Even in limited preseason minutes, Flagg has already proven versatile — rebounding, facilitating, defending, and scoring in rhythm when opportunities arise. Kidd has noted that Flagg’s calm temperament and team-first approach have set a tone within the Mavericks’ locker room.

“Cooper’s mature way past 18,” Kidd said. “He understands the game at a very high level. He competes on both ends. The one thing that stands out most is he just wants to win. It’s not about how many shots he gets or how many minutes or how many times he touches the ball. He’s about the team.”

The Mavericks envision Flagg as part of a young cornerstone duo with center Dereck Lively II. While both are viewed as central to the franchise’s future, Kidd said the focus remains firmly on what they can bring right now.

“When you talk about D-Live and Coop, what a great tandem and foundation of the future,” he said. “But also, we want to stay in the present this season. As much as you will talk about the future, we’ll just talk about the now.”

Flagg’s composure amid growing attention may be another of his emerging strengths. The Maine native has quickly become one of the league’s most anticipated young players, with each preseason outing drawing added scrutiny. Kidd and the Mavericks believe his grounded approach will help him handle the spotlight.

His demeanor, marked by humility and consistency, reflects the same poise that caught the Mavericks’ eye long before the draft. His quiet confidence — “I’ll just stay true to who I am and impact the game in a lot of different ways,” he’s often said — now looks like an extension of the toughness Kidd sees as his true superpower.

Before Saturday’s game, Kidd also provided updates on several injured Mavericks. Guard Danté Exum remains sidelined with right knee irritation that has hindered his preparation for the regular season.

“Danté’s been dealing with some sore knee irritation, which has delayed his preparation for the start of the season,” Kidd said. “So we’ll take the long-term view of it. He’s going to be out a little bit.”

Daniel Gafford continues to recover from a sprained ankle, while Brandon Williams, Caleb Martin, Delano Banton and Kyrie Irving were also unavailable. Irving is still rehabbing from knee surgery, with no firm return date, though Gafford could be back near the Oct. 22 opener.

The Mavericks will travel to Utah to face the Jazz on Monday before concluding the preseason Wednesday in Las Vegas against Luka Dončić and the Los Angeles Lakers.

As Dallas continues to fine-tune its rotation and get healthy, the message remains clear: Flagg’s arrival is only part of the story — but his toughness might already be setting the tone for the Mavericks’ future.