Before he ever played an NBA minute, Flagg was already being compared to Garnett. According to a scouting report from Bleacher Report leading up to the draft, Flagg possesses the size, athleticism and all-around game to potentially mirror Garnett’s impact.

"Yeah, we want him to play on the ball," Lakers assistant and Vegas Summer League coach Lindsay Harding said, according to Brad Turner of The Los Angeles Times. "Especially in tight moments, I like the ball in his hands and I want him to make those decisions."

Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg has already turned heads in his first two NBA 2K26 Summer League games. The main takeaways from his early showings offer a glimpse into his potential and could help shape expectations for his fantasy basketball value in the 2025-26 season.