Mavericks’ new era is already making a difference for Cooper Flagg

It's been a year since the Dallas Mavericks parted ways with embattled general manager Nico Harrison, who has gone radio silent since his firing. Yet amid Harrison's silence, the noise surrounding the Mavericks has grown louder and louder, opening the season with a surprising 7-4 record while establishing a fresh team dynamic that's permeated the organization from top to bottom.

Cooper Flagg is already feeling the difference in Dallas

Perhaps most importantly, Cooper Flagg has already noticed a difference within the organization, expressing how much more enjoyable this season has been compared to last year. As he put it, "We're playing with so much more joy and so much more fun out there... instead of feeling like [it's] a battle."

As Marc Stein fruitfully pointed out, Flagg's "battle" reference alludes specifically to last season, when Dallas was 3-8 at this point in the schedule, the fanbase was more concerned with chanting "Fire Nico," and Flagg himself was still adjusting to the NBA, averaging 15.0 points while shooting 42.4 percent from the floor.

This time around, Dallas is 7-4, the external noise surrounding the team has quieted down, and the fanbase is actually excited about Mavericks basketball. Meanwhile, Flagg is off to a blistering start, averaging 25.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.9 assists while shooting 50.0 percent from the field.

It's clear Dallas' revamp is paying off, based on the Mavericks' record and Flagg's hot start alone. Dallas is quietly emerging as a sleeper playoff team, while Flagg is already making a case for an All-Star selection and establishing himself as a legitimate All-NBA candidate in just his second professional season.

Nico Harrison's firing set off a much-needed Mavericks reset

Nonetheless, the 2026-27 season wouldn't look the same without Harrison's firing a year ago. Parting ways with the former Nike executive set off a snowball effect that has ultimately led the Mavericks to this point.

In the year since Harrison's departure, Dallas traded away Anthony Davis, the same player it acquired in the maligned Luka Doncic deal, parted ways with former head coach Jason Kidd, brought in Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz to oversee basketball operations, and hired former Michigan head coach Dusty May to lead the team.

Harrison's tenure created the turmoil that initially made the future of Mavericks basketball look bleak, but his departure ultimately ushered in a transformative era. Dallas is still far removed from the heights it reached in the NBA Finals behind the star power of Doncic. But now, the Mavericks once again have a star in Flagg, an exciting new coach and front office, and a fanbase that has rediscovered its enthusiasm for the team.

Of course, there's reason to believe Dallas' 7-4 start is somewhat of a flash in the pan. The Mavericks are the only team to lose to the bottom-dwelling Sacramento Kings, and the roster is far from complete. Nevertheless, there's plenty to be excited about in Dallas, and Flagg's comments are perhaps the clearest indication of how much things have changed. There's a newfound sense of joy within the organization, and it's beginning to resonate with the fanbase, too.

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