Most rookies spend training camp finding their rhythm with new teammates. Former Duke phenom Cooper Flagg is taking a different approach entirely. The Dallas Mavericks’ No. 1 overall pick has turned to NBA2K26’s advanced AI to start building chemistry with Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving before even stepping onto the hardwood with them.
It’s a move that shows both his creativity and commitment as he prepares for one of the most highly anticipated rookie seasons in recent memory.
How Is Cooper Flagg Using NBA2K26 To Prepare for Playing With Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis?
With NBA training camp still weeks away, Flagg isn’t logging hours on the court yet. Instead, he’s logging them virtually to learn how to fit smoothly with his new teammates.
Ronnie Singh, better known as Ronnie2K, revealed to Heavy Sports that the 18-year-old rookie has been using NBA2K26’s new simulation features to experiment with playing alongside Dallas stars like Irving and Davis.
“I’ve been talking to Cooper Flagg a lot the last couple of weeks,” Singh said. “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. 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.”
Flagg’s approach makes perfect sense given the circumstances. The Mavericks are adjusting to major roster changes after the 2024-25 midseason blockbuster trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers and brought Davis to Texas.
With Irving sidelined until at least February 2026 while recovering from an ACL injury, Flagg is already expected to step into a major role alongside Davis.
Cooper Flagg’s official NBA 2K26 Rating 📈 pic.twitter.com/eyv1bgHlVy
— Ronnie 2K 2K26 (@Ronnie2K) July 12, 2025
In that context, NBA2K26 has become an unexpected training tool for Flagg. The title, which launched globally on September 5, introduces upgrades like ProPLAY, the Dynamic Motion Engine, improved Adrenaline Boosts, and NBA/WNBA co-op play in MyTEAM. For most fans, those features make the game more realistic. For Flagg, they make it a virtual playbook.
He’s using the advanced AI to rehearse real game situations, learning how to adjust when Davis is operating in the post, how to move without the ball when Irving is handling it, and how to position himself to finish plays or keep the floor spaced.
By running these simulations, Flagg is already experimenting with the timing, spacing, and decisions he’ll need to make once he’s sharing the court with two All-Stars.
How Will Flagg Fit Into the Mavericks Lineup When Irving Returns?
Flagg’s decision to simulate games with Irving and Davis highlights how quickly he’s thinking about both short-term and long-term roles. In the immediate future, the 6-foot-9 forward will likely be paired with Davis in the frontcourt, creating a defensive tandem that could suffocate opposing offenses.
Flagg’s knack for timing and ground coverage has already made him a disruptive defender, averaging 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks in his lone college season. Together with Davis, who is one of the best defenders of his generation, Flagg could form a frontcourt wall capable of supercharging the Mavericks’ defense.
However, when Irving returns, the rookie’s responsibilities will likely shift. Instead of being leaned on as a top-scoring option, Flagg will need to thrive as a complementary piece. That means finishing plays at the rim, running the floor, and becoming a reliable spot-up shooter from deep to space the floor around Irving’s playmaking and Davis’ rim gravity.
COOPER FLAGG JUST WENT COAST-TO-COAST AND POSTERIZED THE DEFENDER 😱🔥
ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Z5jcZ756ew
— ESPN (@espn) January 8, 2025
Flagg’s unorthodox use of NBA2K26 reflects his proactive mindset heading into a pressure-packed rookie year. As the Mavericks transition into the post-Dončić era, Flagg’s chemistry with Davis and eventually Irving could determine whether this team stays competitive in the Western Conference.
For now, the 2025 No. 1 pick is already showing why he’s seen as the cornerstone of the Mavericks’ future.
