As Cooper Flagg tears through the bottom of the Mavericks' schedule, the optimism for the 2026-27 season continues to grow.
It's been fun watching the Dallas Mavericks over the last week. Rookie phenom Cooper Flagg has scored a combined 96 points over the Mavs' last two games, and while Dallas will still miss the playoffs and likely end with a top 10 lottery pick in this summer's draft, this type of late-season surge is exactly how optimism can build into a promising outlook going into next fall.
Flagg's continued ascension will be joined by future hall of famer Kyrie Irving and athletic big Dereck Lively II both returning from injury at the start of the 2026-27 season.
The Mavs still have a week to go in the regular season - beginning with a three-game road trip that starts at the LA Clippers at the Intuit Dome Tuesday night. Dallas head coach Jason Kidd, however, can't stop himself from thinking about the future.
"We’re looking forward to next season with Kai and D-Live coming back (and) a lottery pick," Kidd said after the Mavericks beat the Lakers on Sunday night. "We have opportunities to get better and we also flexibility with cash to maybe get a free agent.
"So, as the roster gets healthy and we get better, [Flagg is] only going to get better."
Other members of the Mavs have felt the same feeling, especially as they marvel at Flagg's recent dominance that's no doubt sent a message to Rookie of the Year voters who may still be split.
P.J. Washington was in awe of how Flagg's been able to do what he's done at just 19 years old, as the youngest player in the entire NBA.
"It’s just greatness," Washington said. "At his age, and doing the things that he’s doing, it’s literally unheard of … For him, the future is super bright. Obviously, he’s a great kid, a great guy to be around, great teammate, so, my biggest thing with him is just how hungry he is … He’s gonna be one of the best to play the game for sure."
Flagg has raised his season scoring average to 21.1 points to go along with 6.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. The Mavs, however, are just 25-53, and that weighs heavily on the uber-competitive youngster.
"That’s something that to me personally and the whole team in general we’ll definitely take away from this year," Flagg said. "It’s a terrible feeling. It’s not fun to lose so many games.
"Taking that and using that as motivation all summer long and getting ready for another season is something I’ll take away from this season. And there’s been a lot of growth this season, so that’s definitely something to take away."
Washington, one of the new-look Mavs' leaders from the 2024 Finals run, added his thoughts on why Dallas can make a turnaround and return to contention as soon as next year.
"We get Kyrie back and Dereck back, we can start to build and get a lot better this summer. Guys will get healthy and the future’s bright. I’m super excited for the future here."
