Cooper Flagg Is Already Embracing What Luka Doncic Never Got the Chance to Fulfill in Dallas: Loyalty
In Dallas, loyalty runs deep - especially when it comes to the players who wear the Mavericks jersey. That’s why Luka Doncic’s trade to the Lakers still stings for so many in DFW.
He didn’t just play like a franchise cornerstone; he wanted to be one. But as the Mavericks look toward a new era, there's a fresh face stepping into the spotlight, and he’s already saying all the right things - and backing them up on the court.
Enter Cooper Flagg.
At just 18 years old, Flagg is doing things most players his age are only dreaming about. He’s not finishing up high school or prepping for a college season - he’s dropping 40-point games in the NBA. And more importantly, he’s doing it in a Mavericks uniform.
This is Flagg’s third team in as many years - Montverde, Duke, and now Dallas - but he’s already talking like he wants this one to be his last. That kind of mindset is rare in today’s NBA, and for Mavericks fans still nursing the emotional bruise from the Doncic trade, it’s a breath of fresh air.
“It means a lot to me for this to be my first city and God willing, however it goes, you know, be the only city,” Flagg said recently. “It’s the first city I’ve ever played basketball in, and it means a lot to me.”
That’s not just a canned rookie quote. That’s a teenager, fresh into the league, already planting roots. And for a fan base that’s been through the emotional ringer, that kind of sentiment hits home.
A New Fan Favorite
Flagg’s early play has matched the hype. After some expected rookie growing pains, he’s found his rhythm - and fast.
He’s not just in the Rookie of the Year conversation; he’s setting the pace. The talent is obvious, but it’s the attitude that’s turning heads just as much as the stat lines.
He’s already becoming the kind of player fans can rally around - not just because of what he does on the court, but because of how he talks about the city and the franchise. That’s not something you can teach.
It’s something you either have or you don’t. And Flagg has it.
The Luka Shadow Still Lingers
Of course, it’s impossible to talk about loyalty in Dallas without bringing up Luka Doncic. The former face of the franchise didn’t want to leave.
He made that clear in his own words after the trade. He wanted to bring a title to Dallas.
He wanted to be a Maverick for life. And when he returned for his first game back, the emotion was written all over his face - and all over the fans’ reactions.
The tribute video. The standing ovation.
The heartbreak. It was all there.
And while Doncic is thriving in Los Angeles - even if it’s with a franchise Mavericks fans love to hate - the loyalty from Dallas fans hasn’t wavered. They still cheer for him.
They still follow him. Because they know he gave everything he had to the Mavericks, and it wasn’t his decision to leave.
That’s why the frustration with former GM Nico Harrison still lingers. The decision to move on from Doncic - whether justified or not - felt like a betrayal to fans who had embraced Luka as one of their own.
A New Core, A New Chance
But now, the Mavericks are building something new. And they’re doing it the right way.
Flagg was the headline of the 2025 draft class, but don’t sleep on Ryan Nembhard. Dallas didn’t just land the No. 1 pick - they pulled off a quiet steal by adding Nembhard, and the early chemistry between the two rookies is giving fans real hope for the future.
This is the kind of young core that can grow together, win together, and stay together - if the front office plays its cards right. That’s the lesson from the Luka era.
Don’t take a generational talent for granted. Build around him.
Keep him happy. And above all, don’t let him walk away without finishing what he started.
Following the Mavericks Tradition
Dallas has a proud tradition of loyalty. Brad Davis was the original Mr.
Maverick - 12 seasons, one jersey, and the first number retired in franchise history. Then came Dirk Nowitzki, the gold standard of NBA loyalty.
Twenty-one seasons. One team.
One city. That’s a legacy that still resonates in Dallas.
Flagg isn’t being asked to be Dirk. He’s not being compared to Luka. But the opportunity is there - to be the next in line, to carry the torch, and to make Dallas his forever home.
And let’s not forget - the Mavericks only had a 1.8% shot at landing the No. 1 pick. That’s lottery luck at its finest.
They didn’t outmaneuver the league. They didn’t pull off a masterstroke of scouting.
The ping-pong balls bounced their way, and they got their guy.
Now, it’s on the franchise to not mess it up.
The Bottom Line
Cooper Flagg is saying all the right things. He’s playing like the real deal. And most importantly, he’s making it clear that he wants to be in Dallas for the long haul.
That’s music to the ears of Mavericks fans who still feel like they never got closure with Luka. Flagg is giving them a chance to believe again - not just in his talent, but in the idea that a superstar can fall in love with this city and never want to leave.
The Mavericks have their man. Now it’s about keeping him.