Mavericks were literally forced to hold Cooper Flagg back in the best way possible

The 2024-25 Dallas Mavericks season went down in history for all the wrong reasons after making the 2024 NBA Finals in the season prior. From Luka Doncic being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, to Kyrie Irving tearing his ACL and finishing the season losing to the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2025 Play-In Tournament, Dallas couldn't catch a break.

It seemed the basketball gods were against the Mavericks all season long. Then, magic happened in May. The Mavericks won the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery and were given the chance to select Duke's Cooper Flagg. Drafting Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick helped bring excitement back to a fan base that needed it heavily.

Flagg can help bring success to Dallas along with Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, Dereck Lilvely II, and Klay Thompson. However, before Flagg has even gotten a chance to play an NBA game, he's been held back already by the Mavericks, but in a good way.

Mavericks had to stop Cooper Flagg from working on the Fourth of July

Mavericks Summer League is right around the corner, as their first game in Las Vegas is on Thursday against Bronny James and the Lakers. The first chance to take a look a Flagg in an NBA game can't come quicker for the Mavericks and their fans. Even before Summer League begins, the Mavericks had to tell Flagg to rest up, even though he's determined to work hard as hard as he can, courtesy of Mavericks Summer League head coach Josh Broghamer.

"He's one of the first guys in the gym," Broghamer said about Flagg. "We had to make him sit down the Fourth of July just because he wanted to be here working already. I think that's something you see with him first, and then the talent."

Broghamer and the rest of the coaching staff had to force Flagg to head home on the Fourth of July when he showed up to work out, showing that he is already one of the hardest workers on the team.

Hearing that Flagg is ready to work should excite Mavs fans beyond what words can explain. It's clear that the 18-year-old is ready to put the work in and bring Dallas back to the top, and his work ethic is one thing that Mavs coaches and officials continue to rave about.

At 6-foot-9 and 205 pounds, Flagg's size, body, and length can make him unstoppable at the NBA level. The grind that Flagg has put in to earn the honor of being taken first overall didn't go unnoticed at Duke with his one and only standout season, and his hard work got him to this level.

He has been working hard all summer long in Maine and Los Angeles with his trainer, Matt MacKenzie, and his dedication to his body his been evident.

Flagg averaged over 19 points, 7.5 rebounds, over four assists, and one steal and block per game while at Duke. Flagg also shot a solid 38.5 percent from three and was a solid defender. Flagg posted those stats in over 30 minutes per game, showing he can play at an elite level while having elite conditioning.

One player who can help Flagg grind and work his game more in Dallas is Davis. With Davis being one of the better big men in the league, Davis can help mentor him at a young age to become another elite force in the paint. Davis' NBA experience at 32 years old helps Flagg even more.

All the attention will be on Flagg when Summer League play arrives.

Fans want to check out what the first overall pick is capable of doing on the floor. Flagg has already shown he can put the work in, now the attention focuses on his play in the NBA.

Dallas has already been buzzing the moment he was drafted. One of the better reactions came from Mavs legend Mark Aguirre, who cried when Flagg was drafted, as he is so ecstatic to be involved with the organization. Aguirre is the only first-overall pick in Mavericks history, and the former three-time Mavericks All-Star is ready to see Flagg succeed in Dallas.