Irving marvels at 19-year-old Cooper Flagg's rare talent, citing his remarkable early achievements and leadership, hinting at a powerful future for Dallas.
With the 2025-26 season unfolding far differently than the Mavericks envisioned, all eyes have been on Kyrie Irving’s recovery from ACL surgery and how the young talent around him — especially rookie Cooper Flagg — has stepped up in his absence.
As Irving continues his rehab and awaits a potential return, his recent comments about the Mavs’ rising star speak volumes about both Flagg’s impact and the shifting identity of the Dallas roster.
"Cooper is just an amazing player," Irving said on a recent live stream. "And that’s not even just gassing him. At 19 years old, doing the things he does within our league is very special... He’s doing things that some of the greats, even before him, didn’t do."
That’s high praise from one of the NBA’s most accomplished offensive talents. It also underscores how Flagg has quickly grown into a leadership role — albeit earlier than many expected when he was drafted No. 1 overall last June.
With veterans like Irving and Anthony Davis (before being traded) being sidelined at various points, Flagg has shouldered heavy scoring and facilitation duties, averaging impressive production and emerging as the Rookie of the Year frontrunner.
Irving’s praise comes at a particularly poignant time. Dallas has struggled through injuries and roster inconsistencies, and the timeline for Irving’s own return remains fluid. While the Mavericks had initially hoped for a mid-season comeback, the veteran guard has made it clear that he won’t rush back until he feels fully ready — healthy enough physically and mentally to contribute at his best.
But the veteran seems confident in his rookie being able to take on a leadership role in his own absence.
"So proud of him. He’s taking on responsibility, holding down the fort with our other teammates while I’m not playing or when I’m not able to be out on the court," Irving said. "And he’s doing a great job. You know, I think he needs a lot more of that push, especially from the media, because he’s already doing stuff in a different way where he’s ending up in those historical record books. Right? I’m just going to leave it at that."
The dynamic between Irving and Flagg — veteran leadership and raw youth — could pay dividends for Dallas down the line. When Irving eventually returns, the hope is that he comes back into a stronger, more cohesive squad, anchored by a bona fide rising star. And if Flagg keeps progressing the way he has, the Mavericks may already be building something special beneath the surface of a challenging season.