Dirk Nowitzki didn’t hold back when asked about Cooper Flagg, and the Mavericks icon made it clear he thinks the rookie is already on an All-Star track for next season.
During an interview on the “DLLS Mavs” podcast with NBA insider Marc Stein, Nowitzki discussed more than just his own possible re-entry into the organization in some capacity. The bigger headline was the confidence he showed in Flagg’s ceiling.
"All-Star's obviously high expectations," Nowitzki said. "But I think he's got that standard for himself, he's got that work ethic, and I don't think anybody would be super surprised [if it happens]."
That kind of endorsement carries real weight coming from Nowitzki. He’s not just another voice around the league, and his belief in Flagg lines up with what plenty of Mavericks fans and media members are already thinking after the rookie’s first season.
Flagg put together a stat line that already looked close to All-Star territory: 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks per game, with shooting splits of 46.8/29.5/82.7. In a loaded Western Conference, that’s a strong opening act, and the expectation is that he’ll only get better as he continues to work.
Nowitzki pointed to Flagg’s 3-point shooting as one of the biggest areas where the forward can make another jump. That extra range, he said, would help create driving lanes and give Flagg more room to set up teammates. In Nowitzki’s view, the foundation is already there; the finer points are what could push Flagg into a different tier.
He also mentioned the adjustment that comes with fitting in alongside new teammates like Kyrie Irving next season. But that doesn’t sound like a major obstacle on paper. Flagg, as Nowitzki sees it, is the kind of player who benefits from sharing the floor with other shot creators, and his best fit is at small forward, which should make the pairing work naturally.
Dallas’ offseason additions should help too. The extra shooting and spacing around him could open things up in a big way, and that matters for a player who won’t turn 20 until December.
Nothing in the NBA comes with guarantees, especially not this early. But Nowitzki’s comments made the point plainly: Flagg has the kind of talent that can put him among the league’s best if he keeps sharpening the details.
And coming from the greatest player in Mavericks history, that’s not casual praise. It’s a real stamp of approval.
In Other News...
Mavericks Avoided A Kawhi Leonard Risk At The Perfect Time
The Mavericks spent part of the summer weighing whether Kawhi Leonard could fit into their plans, but the conversation never turned into a deal. That choice looks a lot cleaner now, especially with the league having already handed down punishment to the Clippers over salary-cap violations tied to Leonard. Dallas, meanwhile, kept its focus on a different kind of roster build, one centered on younger talent and longer timelines rather than another veteran swing.
For a team trying to balance urgency with sustainability, Leonard was always going to come with real complications. The injury history, the age curve and the cost of chasing a star at that stage of his career all pointed in the same direction: a short-term splash, not necessarily a long-term foundation. The Mavericks instead stayed on the path of adding younger pieces such as Cooper Flagg, Zaccharie Risacher and Santi Aldama, a direction that may not carry the same immediate glamour but fits the broader plan better. [Read more 🡒]
Dirk Nowitzki And The Mavs May Finally Be Heading Somewhere Big
Dirk Nowitzkis relationship with the Mavericks has been in a rough patch during the Nico Harrison era, but the front office reset in Dallas has at least opened the door to a fresh conversation. Harrison was fired in November and replaced by Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz, a change that immediately changed the tone around one of the most important figures in franchise history.
Nowitzki has already been in touch with Ujiri over the summer, and there is at least a sense that a future conversation about his place with the team is coming. No formal role has been set, which leaves the situation unresolved for now, but for a franchise that has long wrestled with how to reconnect with its greatest player, even the possibility of a new chapter carries weight. [Read more 🡒]
Mavericks Just Sent A Clear Message With This Long-Awaited Arrival
The summers wave of draft-and-stash signings has given several teams a cheap way to stockpile young talent, and Dallas has now joined that group by finally bringing Tarik Biberovic into the fold. Players like Biberovic spend years developing overseas after being drafted, then arrive when the timing is right for both sides, giving a club a chance to add another piece without having to navigate the usual free-agent market.
For the Mavericks, the move fits the broader offseason trend of trying to balance long-term upside with roster flexibility. It also underscores how much value teams still place on players who have been out of sight but not out of mind, especially when the front office believes the wait has been worth it and the player is ready to make the leap. [Read more 🡒]