Dirk Nowitzki knows what it takes to grow into the face of a franchise, and he believes Cooper Flagg’s next step is learning from the veterans around him.
In an interview with Mike Curtis of Dallas Morning News, Nowitzki reflected on his own transition into leadership with the Mavericks and outlined how the No. 1 pick can adjust as he begins his NBA career in Dallas.
“It was hard for me. My personality wasn’t, ‘Hey, look at me. I’m the big speech guy. Follow me now.’ I had to grow into it. Learn through some mistakes,” Nowitzki said.
His main advice for Flagg is simple: stay observant and use the wealth of knowledge available in the locker room. “Keep your eyes and ears open. Keep learning from your veterans. He’s got some incredible players on the team now with Kyrie [Irving], obviously Klay [Thompson]. AD’s [Anthony Davis] been around forever. There’s so much knowledge there that he can tap into and learn from.”
Nowitzki explained that paying attention to the details—routines, preparation, and professionalism—can shape a young player’s career. “Ask questions. How are their pregame routines? What do they eat? How do they prepare for events? What do they do with appearances? How do they interact with the media?” he said.
He recalled how watching Michael Finley and Steve Nash influenced his own development in Dallas, crediting their professionalism as examples that helped him mature as a leader.
Flagg arrives in Dallas with a decorated résumé after a standout freshman season at Duke. The 18-year-old averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while collecting national player of the year honors and leading the Blue Devils to a deep NCAA Tournament run.
The Mavericks selected Flagg first overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, positioning him as a cornerstone for the future alongside stars Irving, Thompson, and Davis.
While Nowitzki admitted he was caught off guard by the team’s blockbuster trade of Luka Doncic, he sees opportunity in the current roster for Flagg to grow into the role of franchise leader over time.
