Date: February 6, 2026 Category: Dallas Mavericks, NBA News, Podcasts Tags: #KlayThompson #CooperFlagg #Mavs #NBA #DudePerfect
In a candid and heartwarming appearance on the “Almost Athletes with Dude Perfect” podcast this week, Dallas Mavericks sharpshooter Klay Thompson dropped a quote that has NBA Twitter buzzing. While the episode covered everything from Klay’s shooting rankings to his boat life, the standout moment came when the four-time champion got real about his relationship with rookie sensation Cooper Flagg.
“Coop’s Vet”
For a player who has won four rings and played alongside Steph Curry for a decade, you might expect Klay’s career highlights to be strictly about championships. Yet, Klay revealed that his current role—mentoring the 19-year-old No. 1 pick—ranks right at the top.
“Being ‘Coop’s vet’ has been one of the highlights of my career,” Thompson shared during the episode. He went on to promise that even after he eventually hangs up his sneakers, he will be watching Flagg’s journey “every step of the way.”
This sentiment aligns perfectly with comments Klay has made throughout the season, where he has compared his mentorship of Flagg to the relationship Byron Scott had with a young Kobe Bryant. Klay sees the “limitless upside” in Flagg and has made it his personal mission to help the rookie reach the Hall of Fame tier of Magic Johnson and Bill Russell.
The 49-Point Explosion
The timing of Klay’s praise couldn’t be more perfect. Just days ago, on January 29, Cooper Flagg shattered the NBA record for points by a teenager, dropping a mesmerizing 49 points against the Charlotte Hornets.
That performance didn’t just break the Mavericks’ rookie record (previously held by Mark Aguirre and Flagg himself); it put the entire league on notice. Klay, who knows a thing or two about scoring explosions, has been Flagg’s biggest cheerleader, often seen coaching him up on the bench and celebrating his defensive stops just as much as his buckets.
A Special Brotherhood
The bond between the 35-year-old legend and the 19-year-old prodigy has become the heartbeat of this Mavericks team. While the season has had its ups and downs—including major roster shakeups—the stability of Klay’s guidance has been crucial for Flagg’s rapid development.
“I want to show him how much this game means to me,” Klay said earlier this season. “That’s honestly greater than any scoring night I can have going forward”.
From the podcast studio to the hardwood, it is clear: Klay Thompson believes Cooper Flagg is the future, and he is enjoying every minute of passing the torch.
