Cooper Flagg has officially pulled back the curtain on Kyrie Irving’s evolving role in Dallas: the ultimate “sideline sage.” The No. 1 overall pick revealed that Irving’s presence in the locker room has been a vital lifeline for a rookie navigating the professional grind.
“He stepped in as like a great vet for me and was there giving me guidance because there were definitely times where I was shaken up,” Flagg told Ron Harrod Jr. of DLLS Mavs.
For a player who dominated the high school and collegiate ranks at Duke, the reality of a losing NBA season was a culture shock. “I’d never lost that much in my life,” Flagg admited.
That’s where Irving’s experience proves invaluable to Flagg:
Just to hear him say that and tell me that I’m doing everything I need to be doing and just to stay with it and stay positive, it definitely helped me out a lot.
Mentorship amidst a Rookie of the Year charge
Irving’s mentorship appears to be paying immediate dividends on the floor. Despite the team’s struggles, Flagg is firmly entrenched in a high-stakes race for the NBA Rookie of the Year award alongside former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel.
The statistical output from the 19-year-old has been nothing short of elite, proving he can shoulder the offensive load even as the roster undergoes significant changes:
- 20.2 points
- 47.1% from the field
- 6.6 rebounds
- 4.4 assists
Navigating the post-trade deadline reset
The Mavericks’ season took a definitive turn at the trade deadline when the organization opted to move Anthony Davis, signaling a strategic pivot toward the future.
Currently angling for their second consecutive trip to the NBA lottery, Dallas is prioritizing the long game over short-term fixes.
While the 2024 NBA Finals run feels like a distant memory, the internal optimism remains high. The blueprint for next season is clear: pair a battle-tested Flagg with a healthy, returning Irving and a high-end talent from the upcoming draft.
By leaning into his role as a mentor now, Irving is ensuring that when he finally returns to the hardwood, his co-star will be more than ready to compete for a title in the West.
