Boston Celtics
Flagg mentioned he loves being with the Mavericks and does not wish to be elsewhere. He is additionally trying ahead to taking part in at TD Backyard for a very long time.
The group was loud, the variety of jerseys together with his identify on the again had been plentiful, and Cooper Flagg was again in New England for his first sport at TD Backyard as an NBA participant Friday evening.
Flagg, whom the Mavericks chosen with the No. 1 general choose in final yr’s draft, grew up in Maine rooting for the Celtics. Boston was as near a hometown staff as he might get again then.
Throughout his postgame press convention, Flagg was requested what the gang was like and whether or not or not he’d prefer to expertise it from the opposite facet as a Celtic at some point.
“Nah, I like being a Maverick,” Flagg mentioned. “That’s dwelling and I don’t need anything. It was unbelievable to have the ability to play right here, clearly that is the place the place I got here as a child and received to look at, so I feel it’s going to be extremely enjoyable for the remainder of my profession for me to have the ability to come right here and playin entrance of this crowd.”
Flagg, who’s within the first yr of his rookie deal, seemingly gained’t hit free company till 2030. Bringing him to Boston earlier than then would most likely must contain a commerce. He’s beneath contract for subsequent season, and the Mavericks have a membership possibility for 2028 and 2029.
With Flagg averaging 20.3 factors and 6.5 rebounds as a rookie with room for his sport to develop, hanging onto him so long as attainable looks like the logical transfer for Dallas until one thing sudden occurs.
Regardless of shedding to the Celtics by 20 factors throughout Jayson Tatum’s return, Flagg appeared to benefit from the expertise of taking part in in Boston.
“I had lots of people come up from again dwelling. Having that have was actually cool,” Flagg mentioned. “The power was unbelievable tonight, clearly, with Jayson coming again. The power was nice, it’s an unbelievable atmosphere and an unbelievable place to play.”
His time in Texas is simply starting, and this isn’t the Mavericks’ final journey to TD Backyard. However, there’s nothing like the primary one, and this was a second that Flagg needed to savor.
“It meant so much. I attempted to take a second to take a deep breath and take all of it in,” Flagg mentioned. “It’s a dream come true simply being on the market on that court docket competing and taking part in at a excessive stage. It’s actually particular.”
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