Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd isn’t afraid to experiment, and his latest move has Mavericks fans stunned. Ahead of their preseason matchup against the Utah Jazz on Monday, Oct. 12, reports surfaced that Kidd planned to start rookie Cooper Flagg at point guard.
The 6’9″ No. 1 overall pick, known more for his athleticism and defense, would now run the offense for the Mavs. The decision sparked instant reaction online, with fans calling it bold and potentially game-changing for Kids and Co.
Why Are the Fans Buzzing About Jason Kidd’s Bold Lineup Choice for Cooper Flagg?
NBA insider Marc Stein broke the news on X that Cooper Flagg would start at point guard with D’Angelo Russell sidelined. P.J. Washington, Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis, and Dereck Lively II were joining him in the lineup, a surprising mix that looked more like a positionless experiment than a traditional setup.
The moment Stein’s post went up, fans had plenty to say. One X user summed up the excitement with, “The league is in trouble.”
Another simply wrote, “Scaryyyy,” as if already imagining what a 6’9” point guard could do.
Someone else chimed in, “Point gawd Coop 😈,” turning Flagg’s first shot at the position into a mini celebration.
Another fan took it further, saying, “Jason Kidd about to take this league over with the talent and versatility he’s equipped with.”
The buzz was also about how Kidd continues to use creativity and flexibility in his lineups, something fans have long wanted to see more of in Dallas.
And while the idea of a rookie handling point guard duties raised eyebrows, Kidd’s reasoning made sense. After the game against the Charlotte Hornets, he told reporters:
“We want to look at him handling the ball, and want to put him in different situations.”
It’s a clear sign that the coaching staff wants to test Flagg’s adaptability, especially with Kyrie Irving out to start the season and the Mavs lacking in ball-handling depth.
Mavericks Look to Develop Flagg Into a Versatile Player
In the 114-101 win over the Jazz, Flagg’s numbers weren’t flashy –11 points, seven rebounds, and one assist on 3-for-13 shooting, but that wasn’t the point. Monday’s game was about experimentation, not efficiency.
The Mavericks used the game as a test run, evaluating how Flagg could function as the primary initiator and whether he could maintain the pace and spacing the role demands.
Before this game, Flagg had mostly played forward, rotating between small forward and power forward. His preseason usage focused on off-ball scoring and defensive rotations, not playmaking.
But Kidd clearly sees something more in him. The idea mirrors how Kidd once used Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee, trusting size and vision over experience.
At Duke, Flagg wasn’t a full-time ball-handler either, though he averaged 4.2 assists per game and often showed flashes of strong court vision. Through his first two preseason games, he’s averaged 3.5 assists — numbers that suggest comfort with the ball in his hands.
The Mavs’ move says a lot about their direction. The Mavericks aren’t just developing Flagg as another piece but grooming him as a future centerpiece. His versatility gives them options that few teams have, and if he grows into the role, it could reshape how Dallas runs its offense in the long term.
