The Mavericks legend said he keeps in touch with Cooper Flagg and sends him advice when he notices something in his game.
Dirk Nowitzki keeps in touch with Cooper Flagg and sends the Dallas Mavericks forward notes when something in his game catches his eye.
Nowitzki said so Saturday in Dallas, speaking to reporters before the eighth annual Dirk Nowitzki Foundation Tennis Classic at Banner House at T Bar M.
Earlier in that same session, Nowitzki said Flagg is a workaholic who keeps wanting to add to his repertoire.
"We met a few times, and then we're obviously in contact. I'll write him a few things when I see something, so he knows that I'm in [his] corner, [that I want him] to succeed and do well," Nowitzki said. "But like I said, he's so far ahead of the curve already at that age. But if there's ever anything that he needs, I'm more than happy to help."
Cooper Flagg's Rookie Season
Flagg came to last year's Classic in September 2025 but sat out the matches following dental surgery. Dallas had taken him first overall in the 2025 NBA Draft that June.
He went on to win Rookie of the Year for 2025-26. In 70 games, all starts, Flagg averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. LeBron James is the only player to win the award at a younger age.
Flagg also led the Mavericks in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. The last rookie to lead his team in all four was Michael Jordan in 1984-85. Dallas finished 26-56.
Masai Ujiri Attends Tennis Classic
Masai Ujiri was in the crowd Saturday, too. The Mavericks hired him May 4 as president and alternate governor, putting him over basketball operations.
Nowitzki and Ujiri have talked about a possible future role for him with the franchise, Nowitzki told Shan & RJ on 105.3 The Fan on Wednesday. Nowitzki spotted Ujiri during Saturday's availability.
"So Masai is actually coming today, even though he has a flight in the afternoon," Nowitzki said. "Hey, where is he at? There he is, the legend. He's here. So Masai and I go actually way back. I met Masai with NBA Africa, Basketball Without Borders, and all the great programs that NBA does, for a long time. So we probably know each other for, what, 15 years, more probably."
Nothing formal is close. Nowitzki said Wednesday that he will not take a full-time job anytime soon, with his second season as an Amazon Prime Video studio analyst starting next month.
Nowitzki's Past Role With the Mavericks
Nowitzki has worked for the franchise before. In June 2021, he came back as a special advisor to help then-majority owner Mark Cuban find a new team president and coach. Dallas hired Nico Harrison and Jason Kidd out of that search.
Harrison was fired in November 2025. Since Ujiri arrived, Dallas named Mike Schmitz general manager on May 8, parted ways with Kidd on May 19, and hired Dusty May as coach on June 23. ESPN's latest NBA Future Power Rankings put the Mavericks 17th of 30.
Nowitzki spent all 21 of his NBA seasons with Dallas and led the Mavericks to the 2011 championship. He retired in 2019 with 31,560 career points, and he still holds the franchise records for points, rebounds, and games played.
Flagg's second season opens Oct. 9 with a preseason game against the Houston Rockets at The Venetian Arena in Macao. Tip-off for the Oct. 21 regular-season opener in Houston is 7:30 p.m. CT.
