Cooper Flagg (Image Credits: Imagn)

Cooper Flagg Lands in Unexpected Mavericks Dilemma That Could Derail His ROTY Push

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports
By Nitish Kumar Singh | Last updated Mar 9, 2026 2:53 PM ET

Just in his maiden year at the NBA, Cooper Flagg’s basketball career has come a full circle. And much so, his rookie season has largely unfolded the way many expected.

The No. 1 pick quickly became the centerpiece of the Dallas Mavericks after the franchise reshaped its roster, and the 19-year-old has responded with production that places him firmly among the league’s top first-year players.

Flagg has consistently filled the stat sheet this season, showing why scouts believed he could immediately impact the NBA. Yet the biggest obstacle to his Rookie of the Year campaign might have little to do with his own performance.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Mavericks could face a strategic dilemma over the final stretch of the season. With 18 games remaining, Dallas holds control of its 2026 first-round pick, a rare opportunity before a long stretch without one.

Because of that, Stein suggested the franchise might benefit more from losses than wins down the stretch.

“The Mavs have 18 games left, and the truth is, if they can go 0–18, it would be the best thing for them. That’s the way the system is,” Stein said. “The way the system is structured the best thing for the Mavs is to lose and to lose royally, and that’s obviously not going to be great if you’re chasing Rookie of the Year.”

That said, the dynamic could create an unusual situation for Flagg. If Dallas prioritizes improving its lottery odds, the team’s results could decline down the stretch.

At the same time, the ROTY race has become more competitive as Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel has quietly built a strong case of his own.

But as they say in Dallas, none of this diminishes Flagg’s impact.

Cooper Flagg Is Not At All Happy After First Career Technical Foul

Cooper Flagg (Image Credits: Imagn)

While his case for the first career record seems almost promised, Cooper Flagg reached an unexpected milestone Sunday night.

The Dallas Mavericks rookie picked up the technical during a 122–92 loss to the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena. The moment came in the fourth quarter when Flagg drove to the basket and believed he had drawn contact.

With no foul calls in place, the 19-year-old showed his frustration, and the ref quickly blew the whistle. After the game, Flagg admitted the moment got the better of him.

“It is what it is,” Flagg said. “I’ve got to be better at slowing down a little bit. I was frustrated and kind of let it out. I’ve just got to move on.”

Despite the incident, Flagg still delivered a solid performance with 17 points, eight rebounds, and six assists on 7-of-17 shooting.

With that, Dallas has now lost seven straight games, but Flagg remains one of the few bright spots.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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