Cooper Flagg signals intent on $14,386,320 teammate as he issues response amid trade speculation

In the midst of his commercial speculation, Daniel Gafford has emerged as Cooper FlaggThe ideal mentor of the 2025 No. 1 pick navigates a transition to the future of the Dallas Mavericks. After the overtime win against the Portland Trail Blazers, Flagg revealed Gafford's impact on his team during his rookie season.

From time to time, Flagg has shown flashes of the star the Mavs have envisioned him to be. However, Flagg got off to a slow start in the first half on Monday. Gafford had a one-on-one conversation with the rookie during halftime, helping him unlock his potential in the second half.

After the match, Cooper Flagg he told reporters about the impact Gafford has had on him.

“Gafford has been really big for me. He's a really good guy off the court. He's got a great personality, he's a great person, he's someone I know I can talk to about anything. He's given me great advice on staying present.”

Flagg's comments come at a time when Gafford has been a big part of the Mavericks' trade speculation heading into February's trade deadline. Several people, including Dallas reporter Marc Stein, have called the $14,386,320 Mavs player (per Spotrac) the more negotiable asset on the team list.

Since joining the Mavericks in the 2023-24 season, Gafford has been one of the crucial pieces to the team's success. His impact on both ends, especially defensively, has been massive. Last season, he averaged 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.9 blocks in just 21 minutes.

The Mavericks are in desperate need of a reinvention after Luka Doncic's shocking trade, and if Gafford could provide some crucial pieces, they might not shy away from making the move.

Cooper Flagg opens up about the early struggles of having a big responsibility

With Kyrie Irving potentially out for the season, Cooper Flagg was given the responsibility of starting the Mavs' offense. However, playing point guard didn't come easy for the No. 1 pick as he struggled early in the season.

Jason Kidd later decided to put D'Angelo Russell in to take on the point guard responsibility, which made Flagg look like him. The Mavs rookie said later that he I wasn't sure if I was ready for this paper yet.

“I don't know if I was ready to deal with it right away,” Flagg said. “I've done my best and that doesn't mean I can't go back there and work on it and get better. I think it's settled recently when it's better to have someone else help out and take the pressure off. It doesn't mean I can't come up and start an offense.”

Since giving up his starting position, Cooper Flagg averaged more points with higher efficiency.