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Cooper Flagg is one of the favorites to lift the Rookie of the Year award this season. However, the Dallas Mavericks forward understands that individual brilliance doesn't trump his highest priority.
In a conversation held during the Mavs' training camp, Flagg laid out his team-first mindset that he thinks to be the formula for a Rookie of the Year campaign.
"Obviously, it's something that I really want to strive for and look at down the line," Flagg said of the ROTY award. "For me, that will work itself out as long as, as a team, we do what we're supposed to do and I'm able to contribute how I know I can contribute."
Flagg, who was drafted first overall by the Mavericks after a breakout season at Duke, made it clear that his team's win-loss record will be of utmost importance to him.
"If we have team success, that other stuff will handle itself," he added.
Flagg is going to enter a new chapter of the Mavs' history that can be best described as a crossroads. Midway through the previous season, Dallas shook the NBA world to its core by trading away Luka Doncic and roping in Anthony Davis from the LA Lakers.
A win-now Mavericks squad, however, could not get itself off the ground as Davis and Kyrie Irving went down because of injuries. A decimated Dallas squad pulled off one victory in the play-in tournament but ultimately failed to reach the playoffs.
Now, Flagg will get the chance to partner with Davis and Klay Thompson as the Mavericks look to start anew. If Irving manages to make a comeback from his ACL injury this season, Dallas might be a sleeper pick in the postseason.
Viral clip shows Cooper Flagg getting two blocks on Mavs teammate in practice session.
In a viral clip posted by the NBA on X, Flagg can be seen getting a couple of blocks on his teammates in practice. One of these rejections came against a one-time NBA champion.
If Flagg lives up to the hype, the Mavericks could be in a great position to improve their win-loss record this season.
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