Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg continues to attract attention ahead of his first NBA season, with his trainer Matt MacKenzie outlining the forward’s progress and outlook in an interview with Mark Medina of RG.org.
Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, has been preparing for his role in Dallas following the trade of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving’s ongoing recovery from an ACL injury. MacKenzie emphasized that Flagg’s priority is contributing to team success rather than chasing Rookie of the Year honors.
“His No. 1 goal is to be able to help his team win games,” MacKenzie said. “As long as he can play a valuable role and impact winning for the Dallas Mavericks, he’s going to be happy.”
Part of Flagg’s development has included mentorship opportunities from Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki. The two recently met at Nowitzki’s charity event, where the Hall of Famer expressed interest in working with Flagg during the season.
MacKenzie believes Nowitzki’s influence could be significant, noting the value of learning from his footwork, balance, and basketball IQ. “Even if you can just pick a couple of small nuances or details from somebody like that, it’s going to be valuable,” he said.
Flagg’s training regimen this summer has focused on mobility, flexibility, and strength to prepare for the physical demands of an 82-game season. MacKenzie shared that Flagg has added lean muscle, incorporated hot yoga, and dedicated hours to basketball-specific weight training.
On the court, the rookie has been working with Mavericks assistant coaches on film study and offensive schemes. Flagg has emphasized improving his handle, tightening his release on three-point shots, and adapting to pick-and-roll actions that will be central to Dallas’ offense.
The Mavericks will rely on Flagg to complement veterans like Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, and D’Angelo Russell as they reshape their roster in the post-Doncic era. While expectations are high, his trainer views the rookie’s adaptability and preparation as key strengths entering the 2025–26 season.
