Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd on why he has Cooper Flagg playing point guard
Look, let's be real about the Dallas Mavericks' situation for a second—starting the 2025-26 NBA season with losses to the Spurs and Wizards before splitting the next few games isn't exactly the dream scenario anyone in Big D envisioned, especially after the hype around landing Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 pick.But if you're panicking already, just take a breath, because head coach Jason Kidd is playing the long game here, and it's a fascinating, albeit risky, strategy that's got everyone from die-hard MFFLs to casual League Pass watchers scratching their heads. I mean, we're talking about deploying Flagg, a guy who's never run point in his life, as the primary ball-handler while key pieces like Kyrie Irving, Derek Lively II, Anthony Davis, and Dante Exum are sidelined with early-season injuries—a move that's drawn some serious side-eye from analysts who remember Flagg's dominant forward play in college.Kidd broke it down for Rookie Wire with that calm, veteran demeanor we've come to expect from the Hall of Fame point guard, explaining that it's all about building depth for the playoff grind in April, even if it means weathering some early turbulence. 'There's a couple of things behind him manning the point,' Kidd said, pointing to the injury bug that hit them out of training camp and the need for Flagg to learn how to handle NBA-level pressure now, not later.He added, 'When April comes around, we plan for something greater. So just to have that experience, I think, early on here is a blessing, and I think it will only help him in this marathon.It will help us have another ball handler that can make decisions on the floor once we get healthy. ' And yeah, the Mavs might look a bit messy right now—imagine Flagg trying to navigate pick-and-rolls against savvy defenders instead of crashing the boards—but think about the upside: if this experiment pays off, Dallas could have a unicorn in Flagg who not only scores and defends but also facilitates, kind of like a taller version of Luka Dončić without the step-back threes.Historically, we've seen coaches like Gregg Popovich or Steve Kerr pull similar moves, shifting players like Boris Diaw or Draymond Green into playmaking roles to unlock new dimensions, and Kidd, with his own legendary court vision, seems to be channeling that innovative spirit. The criticism is understandable—fans hate losing, and forcing a rookie into an unfamiliar spot can backfire—but let's not forget Flagg's insane athleticism and high IQ; he's already shown flashes of that capacious palate Kidd mentioned, where he can drive, dish, and maybe even develop into a triple-double threat.Long-term, this could redefine Flagg's ceiling and give the Mavs a versatile weapon come playoff time, turning a rough start into a masterstroke if everyone stays healthy. So, while the doubters are loud now, remember: in the NBA, it's not how you start, it's how you finish, and Kidd might just be cooking up something special in Dallas.
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#Dallas Mavericks
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