![\"Cooper](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/flagg1012.jpg\")
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Cooper Flagg<\/a> hasn\u2019t wasted time proving why Dallas made him the No. 1 overall pick. Head coach Jason Kidd<\/a> said that what separates Flagg isn\u2019t just skill \u2014 it\u2019s toughness.<\/p>\n \u201cHis willingness to compete at a high level and his willingness to be uncomfortable,\u201d Kidd said, via Eddie Sefko of NBA.com<\/a>. \u201cHe absorbs that. Those are his superpowers. His winning DNA, he stood in line a little longer to get that at a high level. He\u2019s all about winning.\u201d<\/p>\n Kidd sees a foundation forming between Flagg and second-year center Dereck Lively II<\/a>. Both, he said, have the makeup to impact winning immediately.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not about how many shots or minutes he gets,\u201d Kidd added. \u201cHe\u2019s about the team. He competes to win.\u201d<\/p>\n Flagg said he\u2019s still learning how to play alongside fellow frontcourt star Anthony Davis<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI gotta find ways to help AD more,\u201d he said, via The Dallas Morning News\u2019 Mike Curtis<\/a>. \u201cThat\u2019s what the preseason is for \u2014 just to come out, get real game minutes, and gel.\u201d<\/p>\n Dallas isn\u2019t worried about the rookie\u2019s five turnovers in Saturday\u2019s loss to Charlotte, but Kidd did emphasize one concern: rebounding.<\/p>\n The Hornets grabbed 54 boards to the Mavericks\u2019 37, a stat that\u2019s hard to ignore for a team built around size. Kidd called it \u201ca point of emphasis\u201d for the rest of preseason.<\/p>\n Kings<\/p>\n As we\u2019ve already relayed, Russell Westbrook<\/a>\u2019s name just won\u2019t go away in Sacramento. ESPN\u2019s Shams Charania<\/a> said on NBA Today that there remains \u201cstrong mutual interest\u201d between Westbrook and the Kings, who ranked 29th in both bench points and assists last season.<\/p>\n Westbrook already has ties in the organization, including former teammates Domantas Sabonis<\/a> and Dennis Schr\u00f6der<\/a>, plus new assistant GM B.J. Armstrong, who knows him from their shared agency days.<\/p>\n Sactown Sports\u2019 Carmichael Dave<\/a> pegged the chances of a Westbrook-Kings deal at \u201cabout 70 percent,\u201d noting that financials are the only real hurdle.<\/p>\n Westbrook, 36, reportedly also has a lucrative offer to play in China, though that\u2019s not expected to be a consideration until after the All-Star break.<\/p>\n He averaged 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.9 rebounds in 75 games with Denver last season, then added 11.7 points in the playoffs.<\/p>\n Sacramento currently has 13 guaranteed contracts, so roster space wouldn\u2019t be an issue if both sides decide to move forward.<\/p>\n Sixers<\/p>\n Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer<\/a> reports that free agent wing MarJon Beauchamp<\/a> has agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal with Philadelphia.<\/p>\n The move isn\u2019t finalized, but Pompey says Portland \u2014 where Beauchamp briefly signed before being waived \u2014 is \u201cstill involved.\u201d<\/p>\n The 25-year-old was a 2022 first-round pick by Milwaukee and has since played for the Bucks, Clippers, and Knicks. He averaged 4.1 points in 135 career games and shot 35 percent from deep last season.<\/p>\n If the Sixers finalize and then waive Beauchamp before opening night, he\u2019d be eligible for an $85,300 bonus if he spends 60 days with the Delaware Blue Coats. Philadelphia\u2019s roster currently sits at the 21-player offseason limit, meaning another move will need to happen to make it official.<\/p>\n Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?<\/p>\n Be sure to follow Hoops Wire<\/a> on TWITTER<\/a>\u00a0and FACEBOOK<\/a>\u00a0for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 30 teams!<\/p>\n