Cooper Flagg hasn’t left much room for doubt about where he sees his future.
The Dallas Mavericks forward, who has only spent one season with the team, said in a sit-down interview with WFAA that Dallas has already made a strong impression on him.
“Dallas has been amazing. It’s a beautiful city.
Incredible people," Flagg answered. "There’s not much to complain about.
I wish it would cool down a little bit, it’s been a very hot summer. That’s my only complaint.
And you know what, if that’s what I complain about in the place I live for the rest of my life, I have worse things to worry about.”
That last line is the one Mavericks fans will latch onto. The heat may never be ideal for the native of Maine, but Flagg’s wording made it clear he isn’t exactly thinking short term.
For a fan base still carrying the sting of its last franchise star being traded in the middle of the night, any hint of long-term commitment matters. Luka Doncic once wanted the same thing before being dealt away by Nico Harrison, so there are no guarantees. Still, Flagg’s comments were about as reassuring as they come.
Dallas also has reasons to feel better about keeping a young star happy. The organization now has what the source describes as a competent front office, led by one of the most well-respected men in the NBA, Masai Ujiri. New general manager Mike Schmitz, who lives for the draft, is also in place and figures to keep hunting for the kind of talent that can support Flagg for years to come.
There’s also the pull of history inside the franchise. Mavericks fans would love nothing more than for Flagg to follow the Dirk Nowitzki path and stay for his whole career. Nowitzki has said he’s in contact with Flagg and gives him tips now and then, even though Flagg is already far ahead of where any 19-year-old should be.
That connection matters. Having one of the top 20 players in NBA history in your corner is no small thing, and Flagg seems to understand what he could mean to the city and the fan base.
Of course, there will always be people outside Dallas who imagine a different ending. New Englanders may keep hoping Flagg finds his way to the Boston Celtics, the team he grew up rooting for, and Bill Simmons, at least, is sure that’s his destiny.
But for now, Flagg’s own words carried the most weight: Dallas is home, and he’s already talking like someone who could be there a very long time.
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Los Angeles is already in training camp for the 2026 season and still looking at ways to shore up its wing group, which is why Christie has surfaced as a name to watch. If the Lakers decide their current wing production is not enough, they could circle back before the Feb. 11 trade deadline, and Dallas would have to weigh whether its latest Luka-era asset is becoming too valuable to move. [Read more 🡒]
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Mavs Fans Have A Fair Concern About Morez Johnson Jr. Right Now
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For a team hoping to lean on its young talent sooner rather than later, that naturally raises some concern, even if the Mavericks are not treating it like a setback. P.J. Washington has already come away impressed by Johnsons strength and work ethic in practice, so the ability is there, but the bigger question now is how quickly Dallas can build him up without pushing too fast. [Read more 🡒]