The Dallas Mavericks are continuing to experiment with their preseason rotations, and Monday’s matchup against the Utah Jazz will feature their most intriguing twist yet: Cooper Flagg running the show at point guard.
With D’Angelo Russell sidelined, head coach Jason Kidd confirmed that Flagg will slide into the starting point guard role, joining P.J. Washington, Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis, and Dereck Lively II in an ultra-big lineup. The group’s average height is nearly 6-foot-9, with Flagg — listed at 6-foot-9 himself — assuming primary playmaking duties.
“We’ve talked about it since day one — anyone can bring it,” Kidd said before Monday’s game. “You’ll see that tonight with the lineup change. A lot of positives, and we’ll continue to keep pushing. Anyone can bring it, and we’re looking to score in the first six seconds.”
Cooper Flagg’s Early Impression
Through two preseason games, Flagg has totaled 21 points, seven assists, and nine rebounds in 38 minutes, showing flashes of his versatility and poise. The 18-year-old has been a focal point of Dallas’ developmental plan since being selected No. 1 overall in June’s NBA Draft.
Kidd said he’s enjoyed putting Flagg in different roles throughout training camp and the early preseason.
“When you look at what Cooper’s done here, it’s been really good,” Kidd said. “We’ve put him in different situations — running the offense, running plays, playing off the ball. There are things he has to improve. He’s not perfect yet, but being able to make plays and understand the game at a high level at 18 has been really cool to watch.”
Filling the Void
The Mavericks continue to navigate the absence of Kyrie Irving, who remains out recovering from ACL surgery. That’s opened up an opportunity for Flagg to showcase his playmaking ability, something he displayed during his lone season at Duke, where he averaged 4.2 assists and 2.1 turnovers per game.
Kidd emphasized that the Mavericks are embracing flexibility in their offensive approach, encouraging multiple players to handle the ball and initiate offense. That strategy could help ease the transition for Flagg as he takes on point guard responsibilities against a long and athletic Jazz team.
“The intent is right offensively — we’re pushing the ball, we’re sharing the ball,” Kidd said. “A lot of good things. Being able to turn teams over as we did in that game against Charlotte, to convert in transition, I thought we did a really good job there too.”
The Next Test
Monday’s game will also pit two of the top draft picks from the 2025 class against each other in Flagg and Utah’s Ace Bailey. Kidd noted the significance of young players learning on the fly in the preseason environment.
“We’re just at the beginning stage of his journey and he still has a long way to go,” Kidd said of Flagg. “Watching other young players in this league, it’s amazing how fast they pick things up.”
As the Mavericks continue to evaluate combinations ahead of the regular season, Flagg’s stint at point guard could offer an early glimpse into how Dallas might deploy its rookie phenom in varied roles throughout the year.
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