Bold predictions for the NBA in 2026
We make the boldest predictions for the 2026 NBA.
- The Dallas Mavericks are giving rookie Cooper Flagg more control over his development, including post-game workouts and recovery.
- Since being asked to be more aggressive, Flagg has significantly increased his points and shot attempts.
- Despite being the NBA’s youngest player, Flagg is respected for his fearlessness in key moments of games.
There’s a somewhat unique deal that Cooper Flagg has worked out with the Dallas Mavericks, but to understand it properly, we have to go back in time.
Return to Bangor, Maine. Back in 2019, when Flagg was in the 6th grade.
His parents were looking for someone to coach Flagg, who was then 12 years old, as a basketball player. Always a standout, he was already attracting interest from national programs, so the objective was simple. It’s about maximizing his potential in a state relatively lacking in elite basketball players.
So Flags found a coach named Matt McKenzie and walked into his gym. But let’s face it, Jim does a lot of work.
In a space somewhere between a garage and a warehouse with tile floors and a hoop, MacKenzie quickly realized that to match the Unicorn’s strength, he would have to invent drills, including a micro-shot clock and a one-on-one game in which he was limited to one dribble of the flag.
Flagg is quite reserved in public, but is known for being cautious in trusting others. The family also maintains a tight inner circle. So the Flaggs saw Mackenzie’s efforts, gradually sought his advice and brought him into Flagg’s support group.
“We just developed a special bond that goes beyond basketball,” McKenzie recently told USA TODAY Sports.
That hasn’t changed even now.
In fact, the Mavericks (15-25) gave Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick and the youngest player in the NBA, full ownership for his rookie season. From granting Mackenzie extensive access to installing a cold tub and Normatec compression boots to promote blood circulation, to addressing his precise feeding and hydration needs, Dallas allows Flagg and his entourage to dictate the conditions of his upbringing.
Unique relationships drive development
The biggest factor in that is McKenzie, who currently works as a player development coach and advisor at Flag. Not only is this arrangement a complete blessing to the team, but McKenzie said he is serving as an “extension of the Mavericks coaching staff” and called the partnership “collaborative.”
He splits his time between Maine and Dallas and attends most home games, sitting a few rows behind the bench.
On any game night, Mackenzie shows up at the arena before shootaround. He plans to observe Flagg’s mechanics, briefly contact Mavericks coaches and discuss the film he reviewed with Flagg. Mackenzie may then meet with Flagg to discuss improvements.
On my days off, I sometimes work on conditioning at the gym.
“This way I can be another voice to supplement what they’re looking for,” McKenzie said. “I’m not the one against them. I’m working with them. Just offering him perspective and listening if he has something he wants to talk about. If he wants someone to lean on to tell him the truth, he can come to me.”
Sometimes, Mackenzie travels with Flagg, who turned 19 on Dec. 21, to help with delicate matters during expeditions. After all, McKenzie has known Flagg for more than a third of his life and has become a trusted confidant off the court.
“Matt’s impact on me was incredible,” Flagg wrote in a testimonial posted on MacKenzie’s website. “I wouldn’t be the player I am today without him.”
While not necessarily unheard of, this is somewhat unusual in the NBA, even for star players. This is an arrangement that may involve some degree of risk. If confidentiality or communication issues arise, it can create resentment and erode trust.
Ironically, Dallas reportedly had issues with comparable contracts with their former stars. According to ESPN, the Mavericks were furious after Luka Doncic brought in a team of health and performance staff at his own expense to handle much of his treatment after the team fired former trainer Casey Smith in August 2023.
It’s important to note that this was under former general manager Nico Harrison, whom the Mavericks fired on Nov. 11, and Doncic’s team reportedly disagreed on some decisions regarding Doncic’s health.
For such an arrangement to be successful, all parties must be committed to, committed to, and invested in the same outcome, even if it means deferral.
“A lot of times I just stay out of the way,” Mackenzie added. “But Cooper knows I’m within earshot. If he needs me, I can be right there.”
So far, it’s hard to argue with the results.
‘Perfect man’ for future direction of NBA
Through 39 games, Flagg is tied for the most points per game among rookies (19.1) with former Duke teammate Conn Knuppel of the Charlotte Hornets. Flagg also averages 6.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game.
Flagg is best in transition, able to scoop up rebounds and get into space, but is extremely versatile. He also retreats players into the post as easily as he takes midrange jumpers.
“Cooper is a perfect example of someone who can play any position and guard any position,” Mavericks icon and Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki told USA TODAY Sports. “You’ll never have enough six-to-nine guys who can put the ball up, move the offense, go uphill at any time, spot up and shoot. He can set up the pick-and-roll, but he can also run the pick-and-roll.
“Honestly, he’s the perfect guy for how this game is going to play out. The scary thing for me is that this kid is only 19 years old.”
What’s even scarier for the rest of the league is that Flagg is finding his rhythm, and it seems like it started with a challenge.
Before the Nov. 29 game against the Los Angeles Clippers, McKenzie was on site and met with Flagg after shootaround. Reflecting on feedback he heard from Mavericks coaches, McKenzie thought Flagg was too passive on offense and challenged Flagg to attempt at least 16 shots.
Flagg finished the game with 35 points on 22 attempts in a 114-110 win over Dallas, 16 of which came before halftime. Both were career highs.
“After the game, he joked and said, ‘Okay, what’s your goal for tomorrow?'” McKenzie recalled. “When he’s aggressive, good things happen. Sometimes he might turn the ball over, he might miss a shot, he might make a mistake. It’s a process and he’s still just a rookie.
“This is going to be a marathon. The more willing he is to step out there, the more willing he is to make mistakes, the better he’s going to be.”
Since then, Flagg has averaged 22.4 points on 16.8 attempts in 20 games. By comparison, he averaged 15.7 points and 13.5 shots in the first 19 games of the season.
Signs of steady growth
Earlier this season, when Flagg was just 18 years old, coach Jason Kidd started him a few games at point guard. That was a test.
Flagg is currently settled on the wing, but the Mavericks are encouraging him to discover and embrace his limitations, effectively condoning failure…little by little.
“I don’t want bad habits, but I want him to understand that everyone makes mistakes, turnovers, fouls, missed defensive assignments,” Kidd recently told USA TODAY Sports. “But we want him to learn from them. For a first-year player, I think he plays the game the right way and understands what his abilities are here in the first few months. As time goes on, he’s going to get even better.”
That was evident even at this early stage, and in the face of debilitating injuries to star teammates Kyrie Irving (torn ACL) and Anthony Davis (calf, groin, hand).
Without these two, opposing defenses target Flagg as their main threat. Despite this, he found different ways to influence wins. From handling the ball in the clutch to crashing the boards deep in the game to primary defensive duties, he’s taking on more and more work each week.
“He’s developing faster than people think,” Heat center Bam Adebayo said. “I think by the end of the season he’s going to be one of the tough players to guard because he’s had moments like that at the beginning of this season.”
Flagg is currently the favorite to win Rookie of the Year. He was ranked 16th in the latest All-Star Game fan voting total, giving him a chance to break Kobe Bryant’s record for being the youngest All-Star (19 years, 169 days).
Flagg succeeds, fails, adapts, and grows. And he’s relying on the people who helped him get here.
“I just try to keep people close to me,” Flagg said recently. “Obviously my family and support, but other than that I think I’m optimistic. It’s a long season. A lot of players have stepped up through injuries and there were a lot of positives that we were able to take from some games.”
