Hall of Fame forward Dirk Nowitzki commended Dallas Mavericks' rookie Cooper Flagg before the first overall pick captured the Rookie of the Year award. And ahead of the 2025-26, Nowitzki looks forward to Flagg and Kyrie Irving, who sat last season due to an ACL injury, make their debut as a tandem in Dallas.

Nowitzki revealed how he's in constant communication with Flagg, which isn't going to change any time soon, he said, per DLLS Sports' Abby Jones.

“We met a few times. We're obviously in contact,” Nowitzki said. “I write him when I see something. He knows that I'm in his corner. I want him to succeed and do well. He's so far ahead of the curve already. But if there's anything that he ever needs, I'm more than happy to help.”

Dirk Nowitzki shares that he has open communication with Cooper Flagg and is “always in his corner”. pic.twitter.com/WQEb6vRpcb

— Abby Jones (@_abigaiiiil) September 19, 2026

Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game last season. Proving himself as a franchise player for a team that finished with the fourth-worst record in the Western Conference standings in 2025-26, pairing Flagg with Irving is a step in the right direction for Dallas this upcoming season.

Irving, who helped lead the Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2024, is entering his first training camp in two years.

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Dirk Nowitzki on Mavericks' Cooper Flagg, Kyring Irving duo

Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki can't wait to see Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving share the court for the first time. In looking ahead to the tandem's debut, Nowitzki addressed Mavericks' new head coach Dustin May, and how the duo will lead the franchise into its new chapter in 2026-27, per Marc Stein.

“We'll have to wait and see how they all come together, obviously, with the new coach, with a new system, and a new coach. How is he going to transition? I've heard great things about him; about his leadership, about his work ethic, about how he approaches and talks to the guys. I think he'll be loved by the players,” Nowitzki said. “But it'll be interesting to see. What kind of plays is he running? What kind of system is he establishing — how does he want to play? But the big thing is, obviously, Kyrie coming back after a whole year off.

“I've seen some clips on social media in the last few weeks. He looks great. He looks shifty. He still looks explosive. To see Kyrie with Coop sharing the court will be super, super exciting. He kept some veterans around. He got some new players. You need to have Lively healthy, obviously; that's a big key. But I think they got some nice pieces. If they execute well with Kyrie and Coop on the court, that could be a dangerous combo.”

Nowitzki led the Mavericks to their first in only championship in 2011.