Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd has praised rookie Cooper Flagg’s performance as the starting point guard in preseason games but remains noncommittal about whether the 18-year-old will retain that role for the regular season opener. Kidd emphasized the need for further evaluation while acknowledging Flagg’s promising handling of the team.
In a post-game press conference following the Mavericks’ 121-94 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Kidd discussed Flagg’s shift to point guard after starting the first two preseason games at forward. The coach highlighted that Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, showed positive signs in his new role but stopped short of confirming his status for the season opener. “There’s a lot of good, positive stories here, and so we have some time to make a decision,” Kidd said, indicating that the final call will be made closer to the start of the regular season.
During his two starts at point guard, Flagg averaged 12.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while playing in a supersized lineup alongside Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington, Anthony Davis, and Dereck Lively II. This experimental configuration aimed to leverage Flagg’s versatility, but it also raised concerns about spacing and playmaking, as evidenced by the team’s slow start against the Lakers, where they fell behind 22-10 early in the first quarter.
Kidd commended Flagg’s ability to manage the team, noting that his teammates have responded well to his leadership. “He’s got to keep an index of who got shots, what was the last shot, and that’ll come with reps,” Kidd explained. “But I think [Flagg] has done an incredible job of handling the situation of running the team. And the other thing that I think that is going unnoticed is that his teammates enjoy him running the team.” This positive feedback suggests that Flagg is earning trust within the squad despite his rookie status.
However, the coach also pointed out areas needing improvement, particularly in offensive flow and defensive awareness. Kidd observed that the offense became too stagnant at times, with the starters shooting just 3-of-15 from three-point range against the Lakers. This highlights the challenge of integrating a non-traditional point guard into the lineup, especially one who is still adapting to the NBA’s pace and complexity.
Flagg himself acknowledged his mental lapses, particularly in time and score situations and defensive attachment. “I made some mental lapses today, time and score situations,” Flagg admitted. “Got to know [and] be aware of what’s on the clock at all times. Just got to stay more attached [defensively]. Can’t let a hot player keep getting looks.” These self-criticisms reflect his maturity and understanding of the nuances required at the professional level.
Defensively, Flagg faced difficulties, especially when guarding Gabe Vincent, who scored 18 points and hit five three-pointers in the first few minutes. Kidd attributed this to the challenges of defending pick-and-roll actions in the NBA but expressed confidence in Flagg’s competitiveness. “No matter if you’re 6-4, 6-2 or 6-8, when you’re in a pick-and-roll in this league against guys who know how to run the pick-and-roll, it’s hard,” Kidd said. “But [with] his competitiveness, he’s going to figure it out sooner than later.”
Looking ahead, the Mavericks have a decision to make regarding their starting point guard, with offseason addition D’Angelo Russell also in the mix after starting the first two preseason games. Kidd’s noncommittal stance allows flexibility as the team fine-tunes its rotation before the regular season. Flagg’s development in this role could significantly impact Dallas’s strategy, potentially offering a unique lineup that blends size and skill, though it requires balancing offensive creativity with defensive reliability. In conclusion, while Flagg has shown flashes of potential in the point guard role, his continued growth and the team’s overall chemistry will determine whether he starts there when the games count.