DALLAS — Cade Cunningham knows better than most the pressure that comes with being the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft.
He was the top selection by the Detroit Pistons in 2021 and has since become one of the top guards in the league, coming off his first All-Star and All-NBA selection in 2025.
But it’s made him all the more impressed by the latest No. 1 overall pick, Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg.
The 18-year-old has already started living up to the hype after being selected out of Duke this summer, becoming the Rookie of the Year favorite and a stalwart of the Dallas lineup, already.
In December, Flagg is averaging 24 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.1 steals per game, scoring a career-high 42 in a game against the Utah Jazz on Monday and 23 in a win over the Pistons on Thursday.
︀︀“Man, he’s been killing it,” Cunningham said at shoot around before Thursday’s game in Dallas. “To be at his age doing that already, he’s got a bright future ahead. We already knew that coming in. That’s special. I think he’s been doing a great job.”
For all the talent Flagg has displayed already, what Cunningham seems most impressed by is his demeanor.
He’s had to be a versatile piece for the Mavericks as injuries have marred their roster. Cunningham sees how poised Flagg has remained in the first few months of his career and believes that will serve him well going forward in his career.
“A lot of different things have came at him as far as responsibilities and I think, more than anything, through his struggles, he’s kept composure and handled it well,” Cunningham said. “I think the mindset is something that’s gonna get him a long way in the league, for sure.”
The Pistons gave Flagg a hard time in their first meeting this season on Nov. 1 in Mexico City, holding him to 21.4% shooting and beating the Mavericks.
The second time around, Flagg got the better of the Pistons with an overtime win where he led Dallas in points (23) while adding 10 rebounds, four assists and three blocks.
Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff had plenty of praise for the young forward ahead of the game, as well, having little surprise he’s already showing signs of excellence 27 games into his career.
“You’ve always had an understanding of who he is and what he’s capable of. I think he’s gotten more comfortable in the NBA game and understanding where his spots are, where to be aggressive,” Bickerstaff said pregame Thursday. “It takes time with new guys, even from a coaching standpoint to figure out the best placement, four guys on the floor, his teammates figuring out how to help him, how to support him.
“I think you see more of those things, obviously, his aggressiveness, his willingness to attack the basket, playing off the catch, getting out in transition, pushing the ball, like all those things that you knew he was going to get, he was capable of, I think just over time, have just come to fruition for him.”
Cunningham certainly had his share of growing pains as a rookie before breaking through as a future star. By March of his rookie season, Cunningham was starring for the Pistons, averaging 22.9 points, seven assists and 5.9 rebounds on 48% shooting.
Now Cunningham is in the conversation as a candidate for Most Valuable Player and leads the No. 1 team in the Eastern Conference.
Not every top pick becomes a success story, but Cunningham has a good feeling Flagg is on the right path to becoming a fixture of the NBA, just like he did.