Cooper Flagg spent part of Saturday’s Dallas Mavericks practice making his way around the gym, exchanging handshakes, hugs and high-fives with teammates, staff and even media members gathered at the facility. The 21-year-old’s interactions, captured by Mavericks writer Eddie Sefko and shared on X, pointed to more than just friendly greetings. They offered an early glimpse of Flagg’s emerging leadership within the organization as the team prepares for the 2026-27 NBA season.
Flagg is entering his second year in the league after a rookie campaign that established him as one of Dallas’ foundational players. The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game over 70 appearances last season. He shot 46.8% from the field and 29.5% from beyond the arc while logging 33.5 minutes per contest. That performance earned him the Rookie of the Year award.
Despite Flagg’s individual success, the Mavericks struggled as a team last year. Dallas finished with a 26-56 record, placing 12th in the Western Conference and missing the playoffs. Now the team is looking to rebound, with Flagg expected to maintain a significant role on and off the court.
The organization is also preparing for Kyrie Irving’s return after the veteran guard recovered from a torn ACL sustained in March 2025. Irving’s presence should add another experienced scoring option alongside Flagg, providing the Mavericks with more offensive firepower heading into training camp.
Flagg’s visible effort to engage with everyone during practice, including media members, shows a growing presence beyond his on-court contributions. His interactions suggest he is taking on a leadership role in the locker room as the team builds toward a bounce-back season. The Mavericks open training camp next Tuesday, where they will begin laying the groundwork for improvement after last year’s disappointing finish.
Flagg’s ability to combine production with leadership will be central to Dallas’ hopes of returning to playoff contention in 2026-27. For now, his willingness to connect with teammates and staff offers an early indication of the type of figure he is becoming within the Mavericks’ organization.
According to Yahoo Sports.
