Cooper Flagg is already the centerpiece of the Dallas Mavericks. The No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft won Rookie of the Year, and the team is built around him heading into his second season. Here is why he is well placed to become the face of the franchise.
A Rookie Season That Delivered
Flagg averaged 21 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 70 games and won the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year award. His production climbed as the year went on: over his final 26 full games he averaged 25.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists, according to Basketball Reference figures cited by Yahoo Sports.
A Team Built Around Him
The Mavericks went 26-56 last season, and they parted ways with head coach Jason Kidd on May 19, 2026. Dusty May is now the coach, and Kyrie Irving is back to play alongside Flagg. Analysts expect Flagg to remain the team’s centerpiece and to push for his first All-Star selection.
The Early 2026-27 Signs
Dallas opened the season on October 21 with a 128-110 loss at Houston, where Flagg scored 32 points. The Mavericks won in Indiana two days later, but Flagg played only 17 minutes in the win and scored 14. The team was 1-2 after its first three games, so it is still early.
What Could Get in the Way
The Western Conference is crowded, and one preview says Dallas looks unlikely to return to the postseason. Becoming the face of a franchise usually takes team success as well as personal numbers. Flagg is also only 19, and his shooting from three-point range has been inconsistent in the early going.
The Verdict
Flagg has the award, the minutes and the support of a roster built around him. If his scoring from the second half of last season carries over, the label will follow. Check the latest game logs, since the numbers change nightly.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Sports (predictions), Wikipedia, NBA.com.