Cooper Flagg makes his NBA debut with millions, but his mom keeps the spending in check

Cooper Flagg is about to make his NBA debut with the Dallas Mavericks after being selected first overall in the 2025 Draft. At 18, the former Duke standout has already signed a rookie deal worth $62.7 million—the highest ever for a first-year player. While the basketball world sees him as the next big thing, there’s one voice still setting boundaries: his mother, Kelly Flagg.

In a recent interview featured by Chime and highlighted by Firstsportz, Cooper Flagg and his mom opened up about how they’re approaching finances now that he’s entering the league. The teenager described himself as “not much of a spender,” and admitted he’s excited to buy his first car. But when he mentioned the idea of getting a Bugatti, Kelly didn’t hesitate to step in. “Don’t buy a Bugatti right away,” she told him, making it clear that luxury shouldn’t be the first move.

A cap on his first car

The two took part in a playful exercise where they each wrote down what they thought was a reasonable amount to spend on a vehicle. Cooper Flagg wrote $200,000. Kelly, more grounded, put $180,000. Her reasoning was simple: it’s not worth investing that much in something that depreciates quickly. Instead, she supported other ideas her son had—like installing a golf simulator in his new Dallas home or setting up a solid gaming space to enjoy with friends.

Mama Flagg standing on business 😂

(Via @Chime) pic.twitter.com/VPDPctOjYF

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 16, 2025

The story also shed light on the family effort behind Cooper Flagg’s rise. Kelly Flagg recalled how she and her husband stretched the budget so their kids could travel, stay in hotels, and compete in out-of-state tournaments. “Our goal was always to make sure they didn’t feel financial pressure,” she said. That mindset hasn’t changed, even now that her son has access to figures that could make him a multimillionaire before he turns 25.

Big expectations

Cooper Flagg isn’t just carrying the weight of athletic expectations—he’s also facing the challenge of managing his fortune wisely. And if there’s anyone who’ll keep him grounded, it’s his mom. As history has shown, talent in the NBA can easily get lost in excess. That’s why having Kelly Flagg as a financial coach might be just as valuable to Cooper as any assistant on the bench.

 

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Una publicación compartida de Chime (@chime)