The Dallas Mavericks have officially turned the page on the Luka Dončić era, and while the Anthony Davis experiment may have crashed and burned, there is a new hope rising in the American Airlines Center.
According to ESPN insider Tim MacMahon, Kyrie Irving is “very excited” about the prospect of playing alongside rookie sensation Cooper Flagg.
Despite rumors swirling about Kyrie’s future during his rehabilitation from an ACL injury, reports indicate that the Mavericks have “zero interest” in trading the veteran guard. Instead, they view him as the critical mentor and running mate for their 19-year-old franchise cornerstone.
The “Perfect” Mentor?
The narrative around Kyrie Irving has shifted in Dallas. No longer just a co-star, he is now the elder statesman. MacMahon reports that Irving has been closely watching Flagg’s historic rookie campaign and sees a seamless on-court fit.
“For however long that is a pairing, I think they’ll find a way to fit very well together,” MacMahon noted.
Mavs executive Michael Finley echoed this sentiment recently, stating that Kyrie has “ultimate respect” for Flagg’s work ethic and love for the game. For a rookie who has already matched records set by Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson, having a handler and closer like Kyrie to alleviate pressure could be the key to unlocking his next level.
Chemistry… via Xbox?
The excitement isn’t just theoretical—it’s digital. In one of the more unique stories of the season, reports surfaced that Flagg has been using NBA 2K26 to simulate playing with Kyrie while the veteran recovers.
Flagg reportedly told digital marketing director Ronnie 2K that he wanted to understand Kyrie’s spacing and off-ball movement before they ever shared the floor for real. Now, with Kyrie’s return on the horizon (possibly as soon as mid-February), that virtual chemistry is about to be tested on the hardwood.
Why It Works
With Anthony Davis recently shipped to Washington, the lane is now wide open for a Kyrie-Flagg two-man game.
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Kyrie brings elite shot creation and spacing, allowing Flagg to operate as a slasher and secondary playmaker without being suffocated by double teams.
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Flagg brings elite defensive versatility and rim pressure, covering for Kyrie’s defensive deficiencies while benefiting from the gravity Kyrie pulls on the perimeter.
The Mavericks might not be title contenders this year, but if this duo clicks the way Kyrie thinks it will, Dallas has its bridge to the future.
