Cooper Flagg headlines the 2025-26 Topps Basketball rookie class as the Mavericks prepare for the season, named the cover athlete in the NBA’s first exclusive trading-card deal since 2009-10. Boxes start at $109.99 and feature autographs with Flagg, Victor Wembanyama, and other rookies, signaling fresh fantasy hype around the class.

Early camp buzz centers on Flagg’s ceiling and a potential role in DAL’s rotation, while veteran-storylines around Anthony Davis and Daniel Gafford shape the health and depth picture for Dallas. The Topps rollout heightens player-tracking for fantasy managers who chase rookie breakout candidates and post-draft card-market momentum.

Dallas aims for a title as Anthony Davis anchors a bigger, camp-tested frontcourt. At 268 pounds, he’s shedding weight as the season starts, with a plan that prioritizes durability and movement. A recent retina surgery requires goggles, but Davis insists vision is crisp and he’s feeling explosive.

The blend of Davis with Dereck Lively, P.J. Washington and Cooper Flagg, plus Kyrie Irving’s recovery timeline, sets Dallas up for a potent, versatile attack and a championship ceiling in 2025-26.

Daniel Gafford locked in a three year 54 million extension with Dallas, anchoring a frontcourt that features Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, P J Washington and Cooper Flagg. The move solidifies Dallas defense first identity and signals they expect the bigs to dominate the paint and run the floor with energy.

Gafford posted 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks on 70 percent shooting last season while staying healthy enough for 57 games. The Mavericks will stagger him with Lively II as they chase another deep playoff run, relying on a strong frontcourt rotation as Kyrie Irving deals with ACL recovery and the team emphasizes chemistry and continuity.

Dallas touts resilience and depth with the frontline. The group includes Lively II, Washington and Flagg, creating a versatile shell that can switch and protect while still finishing above the rim. Gafford calls the locker room a family like environment, a factor in his decision to commit through 2028 29 and chase sustained success.

Cooper Flagg's first Mavericks practice was a high-tempo showcase of intensity, communication, and defensive alignment. He pressed from drill to drill, drawing praise from veterans and teammates as Dallas leans into a length-based, disruptive identity.

The rookie's early adaptability and willingness to absorb new terminology suggest a quick path to an early, meaningful role in a defense-first rotation, with a preseason test looming against Oklahoma City.