Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg is ready to take on an unconventional role in his debut NBA season, welcoming head coach Jason Kidd’s plan to play him at point guard.
Speaking at his introductory press conference, the No. 1 overall pick expressed confidence in handling the ball and running the offense. “I’m looking forward to it,” Flagg said, according to Mike Curtis. “Coach Scheyer trusted me a lot last year and I handled it a lot. I didn’t bring it up a ton, but in the halfcourt I handled it a lot & set up a lot of different actions.”
Flagg added that he believes he can excel as a playmaker. “I think it’s something I can do at a high level so I’m excited to just experiment and do some new things,” he continued.
Kidd, a Hall of Fame point guard himself, sees potential in Flagg’s versatility. Kidd told reporters he wants to make Flagg “uncomfortable” early, testing how he responds to leading an NBA offense.
Flagg arrives in Dallas after a standout freshman year at Duke, where he averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. His ball-handling and court vision impressed Kidd enough to consider him a floor general despite his 6-foot-9 frame and forward pedigree.
The Mavericks struggled to a 39–43 record last season, falling short in the Play-In Tournament. Team president Nico Harrison called Flagg “the future of the franchise,” expecting him to contribute immediately alongside veterans Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and Anthony Davis.
With Kidd’s emphasis on positionless basketball, Flagg could help redefine the Mavericks’ offensive identity. “He can handle the ball,” Kidd said, noting that Flagg’s skill set allows the game to “become simple and easy.”
