What happened: During Dallas Mavericks Media Day, Naji Marshall highlighted the anticipated improvements of teammate Cooper Flagg entering his second season. Marshall expressed excitement about seeing the continued development of the young forward on the court.

Why it matters: Flagg won the 2026 Rookie of the Year award and enters his sophomore season with heightened expectations. Marshall secured a three-year, $52.2 million extension in August and projects to be a key complementary piece alongside the rising star.

What to watch: The Mavericks will continue training camp evaluations ahead of their preseason opener.