Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki offered a clear and measured assessment of Cooper Flagg this week, pushing back on concerns about the rookie’s perimeter shooting while emphasizing the broader arc of his development with the Dallas Mavericks.
Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, is averaging 18.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.3 steals on 47.7% shooting from the field in 42 games this season. He ranks second among all rookies in scoring and is one of only two first-year players with three 30-point performances. While his 3-point percentage sits at 28.3% on 3.5 attempts per game, Nowitzki made it clear that number is not a source of anxiety within the organization.
Speaking Thursday on NBA on Prime, Nowitzki contextualized Flagg’s shooting struggles by drawing on his own early career.
“Nobody here in Dallas is worried about his 3-ball,” Nowitzki said on “NBA on Prime” on Thursday. “I think that is something that can come. Quick fun fact: My rookie season, I shot 29% from 3, and it ended up being OK. We’re not worried about Cooper’s 3-ball.”
How the Dallas Mavericks See the Bigger Picture
Beyond the numbers, Flagg’s season has been defined by adaptability. He opened the year operating as Dallas’ point guard, a developmental choice designed to explore his playmaking ceiling. As the season progressed, the Mavericks shifted him back toward his natural frontcourt role, a move that has allowed him to play with greater freedom and rhythm.
That adjustment has coincided with Flagg emerging as a stabilizing presence on the floor. He currently leads the Mavericks in points, rebounds, assists and steals, and he finished among the top vote-getters in fan balloting for the All-Star Game. He has also positioned himself as the front-runner for Rookie of the Year, despite the team’s uneven results.
Nowitzki sees those trends as evidence of steady growth rather than inconsistency.
“I think he has been a lot better from month to month,” Nowitzki said. “He has been more comfortable, I’d say, stepping into shots. It is not like he has changed any of his shooting form; he is just stepping into it with a little more confidence. He has been in a great rhythm since he moved more to his normal spot, averaging like 26 and five and almost 50% from the floor. He has been shooting at an incredible clip.”
Cooper Flagg’s Overall Impact Stands Out
While Flagg has acknowledged that his efficiency from beyond the arc remains a work in progress, his overall impact has been difficult to ignore. The 19-year-old has already recorded multiple 30-point outings, logged heavy minutes against top competition, and handled expanded responsibilities on both ends of the floor.
For Nowitzki, whose own career arc in Dallas was defined by patience and long-term development, the focus remains on trajectory rather than short-term shooting splits. From his perspective, Flagg’s comfort level, confidence, and versatility matter far more than a single statistical category in January.
As the Mavericks continue to build around their franchise cornerstone, Nowitzki’s message is consistent: the foundation is firmly in place, and the rest will follow in time.
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