What happened: Dallas Mavericks head coach Dusty May praised Cooper Flagg's productivity across his rookie season. May described Flagg as intelligent and a great teammate. He credited Flagg with handling pressure as a young star.

Why it matters: Flagg enters Year 2 as Dallas' developmental centerpiece ahead of the 2026-27 season. May's comments establish the coaching staff's public baseline for its former No. 1 overall pick. The remarks come as Dallas frames its camp direction around its young core.

What to watch: Watch Flagg's role and usage as Mavericks camp opens ahead of the 2026-27 season.