Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) looks on in the first half against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center. Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

Dirk Nowitzki offers key advice to Mavericks' Cooper Flagg

By Yagya Bhargava | Last updated Feb 8, 2026 6:28 PM ET

Since last season's trade deadline, the Dallas Mavericks have put fans through it. Moves got made, the direction changed, and things felt shaky after the Luka Doncic trade. But now there's some clarity starting to show up.

Dallas looks like they are setting things up for Cooper Flagg to help rebuild what got left behind. That's a lot to ask from a 19-year-old coming into the league. But Flagg isn't going in blind.

Dirk Nowitzki has advice for star Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg

During a recent interview with Mavericks' legend Dirk Nowitzki for NBA on Prime, Flagg received advice on how to build the stepping stones.

Not many voices mean more in Dallas than Nowitzki's. He had the whole franchise on his back at one point and didn't run from it. The wins piled up, the accolades followed, and it all led to a championship in 2011.

"You're already way far ahead of my curve," Nowitzki said. Your all-around game has already developed, it's unbelievable. Never be satisfied. Don't be satisfied with Rookie of the Year or your first deal. I always wanted to keep improving and that's how I got to play for that long."

From one generation to another

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
— NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) February 7, 2026

Nowitzki's message was straightforward. Keep pushing. Keep wanting more. That's the bar he thinks Flagg should be aiming for now.

That kind of advice coming from Nowitzki hits different, especially for someone like Flagg. Nowitzki gets what early expectations feel like, and he's not wrong here. Flagg is already ahead of where most rookies are.

This season, the former Duke standout is putting up 20.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists over 48 games.

Those numbers look even better when you check Nowitzki's own start. He got drafted seventh overall in 1998 and averaged just 8.4 points as a rookie. He shot 40.5% and added 3.4 rebounds with one assist per game.

Yagya Bhargava

Yagya Bhargava began his professional journey as a chef, but his passion for sports eventually led him into sports journalism. He started writing in 2022 and has since published more than 5,000 articles covering the NFL and NBA. Along the way, he’s worked with outlets like The Cold Wire, Sportskeeda, The SportsRush, and The Big Lead

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