The Dallas Mavericks are no strangers to bold moves, but head coach Jason Kidd may have just made his most daring decision yet.
Ahead of the team’s preseason matchup against the Utah Jazz, Kidd stunned fans by naming rookie Cooper Flagg as the starting point guard, a move that immediately sent NBA circles buzzing.
Flagg, the 6’9″ No. 1 overall pick, was expected to spend much of his first season learning the ropes as a versatile forward. But with D’Angelo Russell sidelined and Kyrie Irving unavailable, Kidd saw an opportunity to experiment.
The rookie, known for his length, defense, and basketball IQ, would suddenly be tasked with running the Mavericks’ offense, a role few could have predicted.
NBA insider Marc Stein broke the story on X, revealing a starting lineup of Flagg, P.J. Washington, Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis, and Dereck Lively II, a blend of size, skill, and positional flexibility.
The decision sparked immediate reaction from fans, with one calling it “genius” and another writing, “The league is not ready for 6’9″ Point Flagg.”
Social media lit up with memes, praise, and a dose of disbelief. One user posted, “Jason Kidd about to change basketball again,” while another joked, “Point Gawd Coop is real.”
Testing limits and unlocking potential
For Kidd, this wasn’t a stunt, it was an experiment in adaptability. After the game, the Mavericks coach explained his reasoning, noting that the coaching staff wanted to see how Flagg handled different in-game pressures.
“We want to look at him handling the ball and put him in different situations,” Kidd said. “It’s about building confidence and letting him learn how to dictate tempo. He’s smart, he’s composed, and we want to see how far we can take that.”
The Mavericks beat the Jazz 114-101, and while Flagg‘s stat line wasn’t eye-popping – 11 points, seven rebounds, and one assist on 3-for-13 shooting – the intent behind the move was clear. Kidd wasn’t looking for efficiency; he was gauging control and decision-making.
At Duke, Flagg was rarely the primary ball-handler, but his flashes of playmaking stood out. He averaged 4.2 assists per game and often initiated fast breaks or made pinpoint passes from the wing.
Through the first two preseason games, he’s averaging 3.5 assists, hinting at the vision Kidd believes can translate to the pros.
That faith in versatility is nothing new for Kidd, who used a similar developmental approach in Milwaukee when he gave Giannis Antetokounmpo early responsibilities as a ball-handler.
The result then was transformative and Kidd appears to be taking a page from that same playbook in Dallas.
A long-term bet on versatility
The Mavericks‘ experiment with Flagg isn’t just about short-term depth; it’s about long-term vision.
The organization sees the 19-year-old as more than a cornerstone, they see him as a potential evolution of the modern NBA forward, capable of initiating offense, guarding multiple positions, and dictating the flow of play.
Flagg‘s combination of size and feel for the game makes him a rare developmental prospect.
If he can grow comfortable as a secondary or even primary initiator, the Mavericks’ offense could take on a new dimension, one that complements Luka Doncic‘s playmaking while giving the team an edge few others possess.
It’s still early, and Flagg‘s adjustment will take time. But for now, the experiment has captured the imagination of Mavericks fans, and possibly changed how the league views what a rookie can be asked to do.
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