Cooper Flagg gave fans plenty to think about when he shared his early impressions of playing alongside seasoned NBA veterans like Anthony Davis. With preseason action underway, Flagg has already appeared in two games for the Dallas Mavericks.
While preseason contests don’t count toward his official rookie campaign, every minute on the court has been a valuable opportunity for Flagg to adjust to his role within the team. The rookie underscored this importance in a recent postgame interview.
Cooper Flagg Wants To Learn How To Play Alongside Anthony Davis Better
While he’s just a rookie, Flagg fully understands his unique position with the Mavericks: He’s part of a team built to compete for a championship sooner rather than later.
Given that Kyrie Irving is expected to miss the majority of the upcoming season after sustaining a torn ACL in his left knee, Flagg and Davis are expected to lead the team with the help of other stars such as D’Angelo Russell, Klay Thompson, and PJ Washington.
Of all the stars Flagg needs to build chemistry with, his partnership with Davis may prove the most crucial. The connection between the two versatile forwards could define the Mavericks’ success this season. Flagg highlighted this point after a preseason loss to the Charlotte Hornets.
“I think it’s been huge. I think team-wise, just getting a feel, it’s a different game. Different spacing, different levels. So I think even today I have to find ways to help AD more, play off him a little better, help him impact the game when he’s posting up, getting his isos and whatnot, so I got to find a way to help him a little bit more. But yeah, I think it’s been huge trying to fit together.”
Cooper Flagg on developing with Dallas early on:
“I think it’s been huge. I think team-wise, just getting a feel, it’s a different game. Different spacing…I have to find ways to help AD more, play off him a little better, help him impact the game when he’s posting up, getting… pic.twitter.com/pTk2pJu9V3
— Noah Weber (@noahweber00) October 12, 2025
If Irving were healthy and playing, fans would already have a clearer picture of the Mavericks’ full potential. Still, D’Angelo Russell is expected to temporarily step into the role of primary ball handler.
Flagg has shown flashes of being a versatile all-around player capable of rebounding and facilitating at a high level. Because his skill set closely mirrors that of Davis, Flagg is eager to learn how to complement the 2020 NBA champion and thrive in an off-ball role.
This mindset bodes well for Dallas, both for the upcoming season and beyond. Fans are now left anticipating how quickly the new duo of Davis and Flagg can establish their rhythm once the regular season begins.