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Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) poses during media day on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas.<\/p>\n
Shafkat Anowar\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n
The\u00a0cast is largely the same<\/a>, but the vibe is noticeably different.<\/p>\n Positivity was a primary theme Friday during Dallas Mavericks<\/a> media day at American Airlines Center, a change of pace from the frustration and disappointment looming over the team the last two seasons. The gloom has lifted, at least for now, as the Mavericks look forward to a new era in the franchise\u2019s history.<\/p>\n The front office<\/a>, coaching staff<\/a> and eight players are new, a mesh of characters who have already received a head start on building chemistry\u00a0thanks to Kyrie Irving hosting a mini-camp in Los Angeles this month.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Here are five of the most interesting moments from media day:<\/p>\n Ujiri seeks ‘joy,’ medical relief<\/p>\n Team president Masai Ujiri has a reputation for his intense desire to win, dating to his days as an executive in Denver and Toronto. He even mentioned his signature \u201cWe will win in Dallas,\u201d slogan Friday, but when asked what would qualify as a successful season, the Mavericks’ new team president identified a different goal.<\/p>\n \u201cBringing joy back to basketball in this city,\u201d Ujiri said. \u201cThat would be a success for us. And I know that\u2019s going to take winning.\u201d<\/p>\n After nearly ascending to the top of the basketball mountain with 2024’s NBA Finals run, the Mavericks rapidly descended to the bottom of the Western Conference standings, missing the playoffs each of the last two seasons. Losing All-NBA guard Luka Doncic and the failure of the Anthony Davis experiment played a factor, but the franchise has experienced immense injury misfortune\u00a0\u2014 notably\u00a0Irving\u2019s torn left ACL<\/a> and Dereck Lively II\u2019s lingering right foot woes.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Ujiri\u2019s response was to hire Nico Berg as executive director of health and performance. The longtime physiotherapist has experience across the\u00a0NBA, NFL and NHL, part of the reason\u00a0Ujiri believes he\u2019s the one for the job.<\/p>\n \u201cNico Berg is the right guy,\u201d Ujiri said. \u201cHe runs his own clinic. He\u2019s worked in the NBA before as a consultant. He knows NBA players. Lots of contacts. The patience. The hands. The person. The qualifications. We believe we got the right person.\u201d<\/p>\n Dusty May wants to play fast with big group<\/p>\n The head coach could have his hands full with the distribution of minutes once games begin, since the Mavericks are primarily a team of forwards and centers. Despite the\u00a0frontcourt logjam, May doesn\u2019t share the philosophy that his players are landlocked into a traditional position.<\/p>\n \u201cThe game has moved so far away from forwards and centers and guards,\u201d May said. \u201cWe want guys who play basketball well and efficiently, and I think we have a team that does that.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The Mavericks should be able to employ several combinations of lineups, given the roster\u2019s versatility on both ends of the floor. Cooper Flagg<\/a> can play anywhere from point guard to power forward. Irving proved himself as an elite combo guard during his first three seasons in Dallas. PJ Washington proved he could play anywhere from small forward to small-ball center. Naji Marshall has the ability to play on the ball despite his traditional position as a small forward. Even Morez Johnson Jr.<\/a> has the capability to play power forward or center, although May admitted he\u2019s not sure where he\u2019ll begin his NBA career.<\/p>\n What May does know is he wants to play fast, crash the boards and take advantage of his team\u2019s speed and athleticism.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have size, we have length, we have youth and good energy,\u201d May said. \u201cThat naturally lends itself to playing in transition, and these guys have done well playing in transition to this point in workouts. Also dominating the glass.\u201d<\/p>\n Irving has ‘no restrictions’<\/p>\n Irving\u2019s return from ACL surgery and pairing with\u00a0Flagg reigns as the primary\u00a0storyline\u00a0of the season.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The 34-year-old will be 19 months removed from his last\u00a0NBA game by the time the Mavericks open the season on the road in Houston. The nine-time All-Star has been cleared for basketball activities and doesn\u2019t anticipate being limited during training camp or the preseason.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cNo restrictions,\u201d Irving said. \u201cObviously, there will be some conversations with the medical staff about back-to-backs and the quality of where I am, day-to-day, just being honest. Just having that fluid communication. That\u2019s most important.\u201d<\/p>\n Related: After 18 months away, Kyrie Irving returns to Mavericks with newfound perspective<\/a><\/p>\n Irving admitted he suffered multiple setbacks last season as he attempted to make a midseason return to help Flagg and the rest of the team compete, but he and the Mavericks deemed it best for his long-term health to prolong his return to this season.<\/p>\n \u201cMy injury was probably the best thing that happened to me,\u201d Irving said. ‘I was obsessively looking at the craft of basketball and playing the majority of minutes. \u2026 I think we fell short of my goal, and the last year gave me a lot of time to reflect on where I want to be as a player, but most importantly, where I want to be as a man.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Flagg\u2019s mini growth spurt<\/p>\n Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) poses during media day on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas.<\/p>\n Shafkat Anowar\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n Flagg confirmed an offseason rumor Friday about his height, revealing that he measured 6-10 without shoes during his physical Thursday. The reigning Rookie of the Year<\/a> is listed at 6-9 on the Mavericks’ training camp roster, but\u00a0Flagg does appear taller and bulkier than he did at the end of last season.<\/p>\n Having the extra muscle and height for his sophomore season should help the 19-year-old forward absorb contact, finish over defenders and get his shot off over smaller forwards and guards. He\u2019ll also have the luxury of playing alongside Irving for the first time.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cHe just makes it easy to play with him,\u201d Flagg said. \u201cHe\u2019s one of the greats in our game and he\u2019s an incredible talent. But I think that, combined with his personality, makes it easy to fit next to and play with.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n No timetable for Lively\u2019s return<\/p>\n While optimism permeated most of the roster, the one murky area was the status of Dereck Lively II.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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