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Cooper Flagg Faces Unexpected Pressure After Mavs Trade
The No. 1 draft pick is carrying a heavy load after Dallas dealt away Anthony Davis.
Feb. 9, 2026 at 2:23pm
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Cooper Flagg, the top overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, is facing unexpected pressure and responsibility after the Dallas Mavericks traded away star player Anthony Davis. Flagg is now leading his team in nearly every statistical category and dealing with a seven-game losing streak, burdens that are typically reserved for a No. 1 overall selection.
Why it matters
Flagg was not expected to shoulder such a heavy load so early in his career, as the Mavericks were projected to be a playoff contender with Davis leading the way. His rapid rise to prominence and the team's struggles have put an intense spotlight on the young player.
The details
After the Mavericks traded Davis to the San Antonio Spurs, Flagg has been forced to take on a much larger role than anticipated. He is leading the team in points, rebounds, assists, and other key statistical categories, but the team has fallen into a seven-game losing skid.
- The Mavericks traded away Anthony Davis in February 2026.
The players
Cooper Flagg
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, who is now carrying a heavy burden for the struggling Dallas Mavericks.
Anthony Davis
The star player who was traded away by the Mavericks, leaving Flagg to shoulder a larger role than expected.
Dallas Mavericks
The NBA team that drafted Flagg and then traded away Davis, putting more pressure on their young top pick.
San Antonio Spurs
The team that acquired Anthony Davis in a trade with the Mavericks.
The takeaway
Flagg's rapid rise to prominence and the Mavericks' struggles have put an intense spotlight on the young player, who was not expected to shoulder such a heavy load so early in his career. The team's decision to trade away Davis has forced Flagg into a leadership role he may not have been fully prepared for.
