Cooper Flagg Uses NBA 2K26 to Simulate Fit with Mavericks Stars
Of all the ways a top draft pick could prepare for the bright lights of the NBA, holing up with a video game probably isn’t what the old-school coaches had in mind. But this is 2025, and Dallas Mavericks’ rookie sensation, Cooper Flagg, is doing things a little differently. With the regular season still weeks away and key teammates on the mend, Flagg has turned to the virtual hardwood of NBA 2K26 to build chemistry.
Yes, you read that right. While you were grinding through your MyCareer, Flagg was running drills with digital versions of Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis. Is it a stroke of genius or just a kid who really loves video games? Honestly, it might be both. Welcome to the modern NBA, where your joystick skills might actually translate to on-court success.
Cooper Flagg’s Shocking Method to Master Mavericks Chemistry
The Dallas Mavericks’ training camp hasn’t even started, but Flagg is already deep into film study. Well, sort of. With Kyrie Irving sidelined by a torn ACL and Anthony Davis recovering from a detached retina, getting live reps with the team’s stars is impossible. His solution? Fire up the PlayStation.
According to Ronnie Singh, the man known to the gaming world as “Ronnie 2K,” the prized rookie is using NBA 2K26 to simulate his role with the Mavericks. In a conversation with Heavy Sports, Singh revealed that Flagg is actively trying to figure out his fit alongside virtual versions of Irving and Davis.
“I’ve been talking to Cooper Flagg a lot the last couple of weeks, and he’s already trying to shape up how he’s going to fit into that team by playing the NBA2K26 game with him, integrated with Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis,” Singh said. “He might not get to play with Kyrie for a minute, so it’s kind of cool that he gets to simulate that, see how the off-the-ball movement is. Our AI is so good. It really simulates the authentic experience of being on the court.”
Let’s pause here. Is the game’s AI really good enough to mimic the unpredictable genius of Kyrie Irving or the defensive dominance of Anthony Davis? That’s debatable. But for him, a player celebrated for his high basketball IQ, it’s a way to visualize spacing, practice off-ball movement, and get a feel for his teammates’ tendencies without ever stepping on the court together. It’s a testament to his reputation as a “gym rat” that he’s finding ways to work even when his teammates can’t.
How NBA 2K26 Rates the New-Look Mavericks
For those who take these things seriously, the NBA 2K26 player ratings offer the first glimpse at how the new Mavericks roster stacks up. Unsurprisingly, Anthony Davis leads the team with a 93 overall rating, followed closely by Kyrie Irving at a 90.
So, where does the rookie land? Cooper Flagg clocks in with a respectable 82 overall rating, a strong starting point for a first-year player. Some might have expected higher for a player of his caliber, but the 2K ratings gods are rarely generous to rookies.
Rounding out the starting lineup, Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford both received an 80 overall. The ratings get a bit more controversial from there. P.J. Washington and newcomer Klay Thompson are both sitting at a 79 overall, which feels a tad low, especially for Washington. Meanwhile, D’Angelo Russell’s 78 overall might be a gift, considering his performance last season. He shares that rating with Naji Marshall, and you could easily argue Marshall deserves to be higher. But hey, it’s just a game, right?
Is Flagg’s Virtual Training a Glimpse into the Future?
While the former Duke star is running virtual pick-and-rolls, the real work will begin when the team finally gets healthy. In the early part of the season, he and Davis will be asked to carry the offensive load. Once Irving returns, Flagg’s role will shift. He’ll need to master playing off the ball, making smart cuts, and finding open spots on the perimeter.
And that’s where this whole 2K experiment might just pay off. By simulating these scenarios, Flagg is mentally preparing for the adjustments he’ll need to make mid-season. It’s a proactive approach from a young player who clearly understands the challenge ahead.
Is playing a video game a substitute for real practice? Of course not. But in a situation where live reps are off the table, it’s a creative and surprisingly logical way to get a head start. If he comes out looking like he’s been playing with Irving and Davis for years, we might just have to give credit to his unorthodox training methods.
