Cooper Flagg will draw plenty of eyes in his first year.
Flagg went first overall in the 2025 NBA Draft and is already shaping up to be a major storyline for Dallas, even before he’s played a game.
The Mavericks are hoping he can fill the void left by Luka Doncic, stepping into the spotlight as the new face of the team.
They do have Anthony Davis on the roster, but his availability has been an issue several times in recent years. Kyrie Irving is expected to miss significant time again next season, and Klay Thompson is no longer the player he once was.
This puts more focus on Flagg and how Dallas plans to use him right away. Every bit of news or analysis about him seems to grab attention, and that is not likely to change anytime soon.
Dallas media lists Cooper Flagg as both guard and forward
Mavericks’ media guide lists Flagg as both a guard and forward, as revealed by Dallas Insider Mike Curtis.
This dual listing speaks to his versatility, fitting well with coach Jason Kidd’s plans for how he intends to use him.
Kidd envisions Flagg taking on a point forward role, much like Grant Hill did during his playing days.
Flagg showed in college that he can handle primary ball-handling duties, so there is good reason to think he could step into that role in the NBA too.
Kidd has used this strategy before, notably with Giannis Antetokounmpo when he was coaching the Bucks.
- READ MORE: NBA reporter highlights Lakers’ main roster flaw, says they’re below OKC and Timberwolves
Flagg may be asked to run the offence from day one
Dallas’s point guard uncertainty might push Flagg into a larger playmaking role early in the season. D’Angelo Russell’s game has slipped in recent years, and he is no longer the reliable playmaker he once was. That decline might push the Mavericks to look for other options.
| Position | With Flagg as a Guard | With Flagg as a Forward |
| Point Guard | Cooper Flagg | D’Angelo Russell |
| Shooting Guard | Klay Thompson | Klay Thompson |
| Small Forward | P.J. Washington | Cooper Flagg |
| Power Forward | Anthony Davis | Anthony Davis |
| Center | Daniel Gafford | Daniel Gafford |
Handing a rookie primary playmaking duties is always a gamble, but Flagg’s background at Duke and his strong feel for the game suggest he might be up for it.
Dallas really needs him to make an immediate impact wherever he plays. How he progresses is crucial for the team in both the short and long-term.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
