Dirk Nowitzki, legend of the Dallas Mavericks, sent a message to rookie Cooper Flagg, who is widely believed to be the franchise’s next star.
Within the Dallas Mavericks organization, all hopes and attention are now focused on one young man: Cooper Flagg. The team failed to remain competitive following the shocking trade of Luka Doncic and the acquisition of Anthony Davis. Injuries to key players—most notably Kyrie Irving—also played a major role, leading the front office to ultimately blow it all up, send Davis to the Washington Wizards, and fully commit to building around Flagg.
The expectations surrounding him are enormous, but Flagg has been delivering recently, finally living up to the hype that has followed him ever since his performances at Duke University.
Claim Now Still, no one understands pressure and high expectations better than the most legendary player in franchise history, Dirk Nowitzki. Nowitzki had a message for the young Flagg, encouraging him to aim even higher in his career:
“Never be satisfied,” he told Flagg. “Don’t be satisfied with Rookie of the Year or your first deal.”
As Nowitzki himself explained, Flagg’s potential is already enormous, and he believes the young forward is, in many ways, ahead of where Dirk was when he first arrived in Dallas:
“When I first got here, I did not know what to expect. I was a rookie. I wanted to establish myself. I was all about scoring, and so I admire what you do already at a young age. You’re already way far ahead of my curve. Your all-around game has already developed—it’s unbelievable.”
Cooper Flagg is currently averaging 20.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. He has especially stood out over the past month, recording several notable performances and multiple 30+ point games.
The Dallas Mavericks currently hold a 19–33 record.
From one generation to another 🤝
— NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) February 7, 2026
Dirk Nowitzki (@Swish41) talks with rookie Cooper Flagg about his first season in the league, the Dallas community and a whole bunch more! pic.twitter.com/z0aTg2547o
