DALLAS — Dirk Nowitzki said Saturday that Cooper Flagg is going to have a great second season with the Dallas Mavericks. He spoke before the eighth annual Dirk Nowitzki Foundation Tennis Classic at Banner House at T Bar M.
Flagg was named Rookie of the Year for 2025-26 after averaging 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in 70 games, all starts. Only LeBron James won the award at a younger age.
Flagg only turned 19 during last season, and that is still wild to Nowitzki.
“He’s had a terrific first season,” Nowitzki said. “As the hype that he had as a number one pick, to basically live through that and exceed that hype has been incredible to watch in year one. I think [it] makes everybody super excited about his future. We all know he’s a workaholic, loves hoops. That’s all he does. He wants to get better. He wants to add things to his repertoire. So I think he’s going to have a great second season, and the sky’s the limit for him. Hopefully we can watch him for the next decade plus.”
“Sometimes it’s crazy that he’s only just turned 19 last season. That is wild to me,” Nowitzki continued. “The way he plays, the way he handles himself, so mature out there, the way he reads the game already. Such a great all-around player at such a young age. That’s fantastic. We see everybody here and the Metroplex is excited about his future with the Mavs. We’ll see how year two goes.”
Dallas took Flagg first overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. He was the first rookie since Michael Jordan in 1984-85 to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. In April, he scored 51 points against Orlando. Dallas finished 26-56.
Dirk Nowitzki On Cooper Flagg Playing Off Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving has not played since tearing the ACL in his left knee on March 3, 2025, against the Sacramento Kings. He missed all of 2025-26. Before the injury, Irving averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in 2024-25.
With Irving back on the ball, Flagg can do all sorts of stuff off it, according to Nowitzki. On Wednesday, Nowitzki told 105.3 The Fan that he could not wait to see how the two play off each other.
“Kyrie coming back, I think, should be great for him, to not only be on the ball,” Nowitzki continued. “He’s a great off-ball player with cuts and posts, and he can do all sorts of stuff playing off of Kyrie. So I think it should be fun watching his growth.”
Flagg attended last year’s Classic but did not play because of dental surgery.
Dirk Nowitzki Stays In Contact With Cooper Flagg
Nowitzki and Flagg have met a few times. Nowitzki writes to him when he sees something.
“We met a few times, and then we’re obviously in contact. I’ll write him a few things when I see something, so he knows that I’m in [his] corner, [that I want him] to succeed and do well,” Nowitzki added. “But like I said, he’s so far ahead of the curve already at that age. But if there’s ever anything that he needs, I’m more than happy to help.”
Mavericks coach Dusty May was hired June 23 after winning the national championship at Michigan. Flagg’s second season starts in the preseason on Oct. 9 against Houston at The Venetian Arena in Macao, as part of the NBA China Games 2026.
The regular season opens Oct. 21 at the Houston Rockets, with tip-off at 7:30 p.m. CT. San Antonio visits American Airlines Center on Oct. 24 for the home opener.
