The Dallas Mavericks have announced a substantial reward for the collector who obtains a unique trading card of their recent acquisition, Cooper Flagg. The card, featured in the new Topps Chrome Update 2025-26 set, is a one-of-one rookie card that includes Flagg's autograph and a patch from his NBA debut.
To entice collectors, the Mavericks' offer includes a package of high-value items. These perks consist of 32 years of premium lower-level season tickets, a game-worn rookie jersey signed by Flagg, and a post-game photo opportunity with the player. Additionally, the finder will receive a private photoshoot with the Rookie of the Year trophy and the Larry O’Brien championship trophy, a VIP tour of the Mavericks' practice facility with a team meet-and-greet, and a private basketball experience for up to 10 guests at the American Airlines Center. The bounty also includes a road trip experience to see the Mavericks play the Boston Celtics, covering airfare, hotel accommodations, and game tickets.
Flagg, who signed the card at Fanatics Fest in New York City, expressed a sentiment of nervousness about the card's rarity. He suggested that whoever pulls the card should consider holding onto it, anticipating its value to increase throughout his career. In his inaugural NBA season, Flagg averaged 21 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, shooting 46.8 percent from the field over 70 games.
The Debut Patch series, introduced by Topps and Major League Baseball in 2023, features patches from players' first professional games embedded into unique trading cards. This initiative has previously seen significant returns, such as when Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes’ debut patch card sold for $1.11 million after being pulled by an 11-year-old. In another instance, a one-of-a-kind card of Dodgers player Shohei Ohtani, featuring game-worn patches and dual signatures, reportedly sold for over $10 million.
This release marks the first Debut Patch collection for the NBA, following Fanatics' acquisition of the license to feature NBA players on Topps products. Other notable rookies included in this year's Debut Patch program are Dylan Harper, Kon Knueppel, and Egor Demin. Topps has confirmed that several Debut Patch redemption cards have already been claimed by players such as John Poulakidas, Khaman Maluach, Kobe Sanders, and Nique Clifford.
If Flagg's highly anticipated Debut Patch card enters the market, it is projected to command a price exceeding $1 million.