Cooper Flagg becomes the biggest beneficiary of Mavericks’ decisive Kyrie Irving shutdown

Kyrie Irving may be helping the Dallas Mavericks more by staying off the court than by playing another game this season.

Dallas made the difficult call on Wednesday morning to shut Irving down for the rest of the 2025-26 campaign as he continues recovering from a torn ACL. While the move stings in the short term, it’s precisely what Cooper Flagg needs as he wraps up his rookie season.

Although sharing the floor with Irving late in the year could have helped them build early chemistry, Flagg now gets the opportunity to operate as the team’s clear No. 1 option. He can take as many shots as necessary while remaining the centerpiece of the offense, a role that will accelerate his development into a future offensive engine.

Flagg’s offensive skill set is significantly more advanced than anyone anticipated for a 19-year-old rookie, and he’s only going to improve with time. His finishing ability, decision-making, and confidence continue to rise each game, and his two-way impact is why Mavericks fans believe he can help guide the franchise back to championship contention.

Irving missing the rest of the season is a hidden advantage

Beyond the clear growth Flagg will experience by carrying the offensive load, shelving Irving also improves Dallas’ chances of having both stars fully healthy to begin next season.

At the trade deadline, the Mavericks made both Irving and Flagg untouchable because they envision them as a dynamic duo for the future. They haven’t played a single minute together yet, but the organization believes they can lead the franchise into its next chapter.

Even without Irving alongside him to finish his rookie campaign, having both players ready for the start of next season is far more significant. By then, Irving will be well over a year removed from his ACL tear last March, allowing Dallas to focus entirely on building around the Flagg-Irving partnership rather than worrying about another setback.

A second knee injury late in the season would have been disastrous, and the Mavericks are wisely eliminating that risk by keeping Irving sidelined.

Beyond protecting Irving’s health, this decision also accelerates Dallas’ rebuild centered around Flagg.

Without Irving in the lineup, the Mavericks are likely to slide down the standings, improving their chances in the NBA Draft Lottery. This is the final season Dallas fully controls its first-round pick until 2031, making this selection incredibly important.

They’re projected to pick inside the top 10 barring a major late-season surge, and lottery luck could even push them into the top four. The 2026 draft class is widely regarded as one of the deepest in years, and pairing Flagg with another elite young talent should be a top priority.

If Irving were to return, Dallas would likely win more games — which works against their long-term goals. Allowing him to rest for the remainder of the season was the smartest move for everyone involved, and Flagg will likely appreciate the decision even more a year from now.