The Dallas Mavericks’ 2025-26 campaign has opened with more questions than answers. A 2-4 start wasn’t what fans expected after bold offseason promises, and frustration has set in as close games tilt the wrong way.
But in the midst of the stumble, there’s a revelation with a purpose as Jason Kidd is putting No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg at point guard, and he wants everyone to know why.
What Has Jason Kidd Revealed Regarding Cooper Flagg?
Following the Mavericks’ tough loss to the Detroit Pistons, Kidd sat down in the postgame presser and finally shed light on his bold experiment.
“There’s a couple of things behind him playing point guard. One is our health. Coming out of the training camp, we had a lot of injuries, so we know we have Cooper to handle the ball. The other part of handling the ball is being able to handle the pressure when April comes around & you’re playing for something greater,” said Kidd during the interview.
If we look at the six games, Flagg has delivered a mixed-bag start to his NBA career. He is averaging 13.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, three assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.5 blocks in 32.5 minutes per night.
He already has two double-doubles and has been flawless at the stripe with a 21-for-21 free-throw line. Those are encouraging signs of an all-court contributor with a calm pulse in late-game situations.
The efficiency, however, hasn’t followed him yet, as he’s shooting 37.3% from the field and just 28.6% from beyond the arc. The context matters. Flagg has been pushed into an unnatural lead guard role due to injuries, which has placed a greater creative burden on him than the Mavericks likely planned in October. That workload has shown up in his shot quality and rhythm.
For fans who watched him light up Summer League, the contrast is jarring. Flagg flashed star turns in Vegas in a limited run, including a 31-point performance against the Spurs that showcased his timing and shotmaking.
However, Flagg has kept perspective. In a recent interview, he acknowledged he’s still adjusting to the pace and physicality of the league but promised he’ll settle in soon.
“It’s a tough league. It’s a transition. Obviously, I haven’t made a lot of shots or been as efficient as I would’ve wanted to, but I’m gonna just keep trusting the work. It’s nothing, I think, they should be worried about.”
“I’m not worried about anything. Just gotta keep getting better looks. Keep being aggressive and just trust all the work. And I think it’ll be fine,” said Flagg during the interview.
As the Mavericks look to shake off their sluggish start, all eyes remain on Flagg and how he continues to evolve under Kidd’s guidance. Dallas will next take on the Houston Rockets on November 3, and the team is hoping to regain momentum.