The Mavericks are going to great lengths to flag down a one-of-a-kind trading card of their budding superstar.
On release day for the new Topps Chrome Update 2025-26 set, Dallas announced a lucrative bounty for the lucky collector who pulls an ultra-rare card of reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg.
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The one-of-one rookie card, which bears Flagg’s autograph and the actual patch he wore on the night of his NBA debut, is one of the most anticipated and sought-after trading cards of the year.
The one-of-a-kind NBA Debut Patch card bearing Cooper Flagg’s autograph and the patch he wore on his jersey the night he played his first game. The Topps Company, Inc.
The organization’s offer includes several items, including season tickets, a signed jersey and more:
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Two (2) Mavericks season premium lower level tickets for 32 years
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A Flagg signed game-worn rookie jersey
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A post-game photo with Flagg
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Private photoshoot with the NBA Rookie of the Year trophy and Larry O’Brien championship trophy
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VIP tour of the Mavericks practice facility with a team meet-and-greet
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Private basketball experience for up to 10 guests at American Airlines Center
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Road trip experience to see the Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics, including: round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations, game tickets
Flagg, 19, signed the card at Fanatics Fest in New York City last month.
“Oh my god, that thing is beautiful…I’m nervous,” Flagg said before suggesting that whoever pulls the card should keep it.
“Hold on to it, hold on to it,” he said. “I think it will gain in value as I go on through my career, so it will be a good piece to hang on to.”
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In his first NBA season, Flagg averaged 21 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists and shot 46.8 percent from the field in 70 games.
In 2023, Topps and Major League Baseball introduced the Debut Patch series, featuring patches worn by players in their first MLB games that were later embedded into one-of-a-kind trading cards.
Pirates superstar pitcher Paul Skenes’ debut patch card fetched a record $1.11 million last year after the card was pulled by an 11-year-old boy in California.
The boy and his family rejected an offer from the Pirates — which was similar to the one issued by the Mavericks — and instead elected to put the card up for auction.
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) dribbles as San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) defends during the first quarter at American Airlines Center. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Just last week, a one-of-one card of Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani was found in Boca Raton, Fla.
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The card, which features two game-worn gold MLB logo patches along with two Ohtani signatures, one in English and one in Japanese Kanji, was sold for over $10 million.
With Fanatics acquiring the license to feature NBA players on Topps products, this release marks the inaugural Debut Patch release for the league.
Other notable rookies featured in this year’s Debut Patch program include Spurs standout Dylan Harper, Rookie of the Year runner-up Kon Knueppel and Nets guard Egor Demin.
Topps announced on Thursday that several Debut Patch redemption cards had already been pulled, including Flagg’s Mavericks teammate John Poulakidas, Suns big man Khaman Maluach, Clippers guard Kobe Sanders and Kings guard Nique Clifford.
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Should Flagg’s Debut Patch card reach auction, it’s expected to sell for well over $1 million.
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