Reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg has already picked his successor, and get this, it’s a teammate! Flagg told Bleacher Report that he fully expects fellow Dallas Mavericks rookie Morez Johnson Jr. to take home the Rookie of the Year trophy in 2027. That’s a bold call from the man who knows exactly what it takes to get it done, and it’s got to be pumping up the Mavs faithful!
The Next Big Thing Hits the Hardwood (and the Console!)
Flagg is clearly stoked for Johnson’s potential. “I’m excited to watch him flourish and come into his own this year and figure it out on the fly, just like I had to,” Flagg said about Johnson, adding, “He’s a really great player. So, excited to play with him.” Johnson, a big man out of Michigan, got snatched up by the Mavs at the No. 9 pick in the 2026 NBA draft, even higher than some folks projected. And he’s already making noise, averaging a killer 18.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 steals, and three blocks across just two Summer League games. Talk about justifying a draft pick right outta the gate!
It’s not all serious hoops prep for Flagg, though. He was out in New York City at Fanatics Fest, even duking it out on Activision’s upcoming Modern Warfare 4 against Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love. Flagg’s squad came out on top, and he gave a shout-out to all those rounds of Modern Warfare 2 he played with friends back during the COVID-19 pandemic for the win. Being one of the first people in the world to play the new game was “really amazing,” he said. He’s counting down the days until Oct. 23 when Modern Warfare 4 drops.
New Faces, Familiar Coach, and a HUGE Return
While Flagg was busy dominating virtual battlefields and predicting ROY winners, he’s also been locked into Summer League action in Vegas, checking out Johnson and fellow Mavs rookie Sergio De Larrea. De Larrea, a point guard with pro experience in Spain, put up 8.8 assists and 4.8 rebounds in four games. Both Johnson and De Larrea are officially on track for the Mavs roster next season, with De Larrea signing an NBA contract instead of heading to the EuroLeague. Flagg gave props to all the Summer League guys, saying it’s a “tough environment” with little practice time, but they “did a really good with just coming together and playing really hard and playing the right way.”
The Mavs are stacking up for Flagg’s second season. They just wrapped up a six-team trade that brings former EuroLeague standout Tarik Biberović to Dallas, along with Santi Aldama and Marcus Sasser. But the real game-changer? Kyrie Irving is BACK. After sitting out last season recovering from a torn ACL, Irving is set to rejoin the team. Flagg is already salivating at the thought of the space Irving’s “gravity” will create on the floor. “It’s undeniable what he’s able to do,” Flagg said, “I’m excited to really get out there and share the court with him in some meaningful games.” Plus, there’s a new boss in town: head coach Dusty May. May coached Morez Johnson Jr. and Michigan to a national title before making the jump to Dallas. Flagg, who watched May’s Michigan squad beat his old program Duke last season, called him “a great basketball mind.”
With Flagg entering his second year, a highly-touted rookie making waves, some solid new additions, a proven coach, and the return of a superstar like Kyrie Irving, the Dallas Mavericks are looking like they’re ready to make some noise. Everyone’s waiting to see how Flagg and Irving click, and if Johnson Jr. can really live up to that ROY hype. This fall is gonna be wild for the Mavs, that’s for sure.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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